The Colonnade The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University
March 11, 2011
www.GCSUnade.com
Volume 87, No. 19
Senate approves changes to HOPE Matt Chambers Senior Reporter
File Photo by Drake Simons / Senior Photographer on March 4 Women’s Hoops wins Peach Belt Conference Championship Senior guard Chimere Jordan takes a shot in the Bobcats’ PBC quarterfinals win against Columbus State on March 2.The Bobcats went on to win the PBC tournament, beating No. 4 Lander, 71-62 on March 5 and then knocking off No. 12 USC Aiken, 62-49 on March 6. Jordan was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and was named to the All-Conference first team along with teammate, senior guard Dominique Huffin. The Bobcats are the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Southeast Regionals and will play No. 5 seed Barton on March 11 at 8 p.m. at Clayton State.
Next year’s registration time to shift Matt Chambers Senior Reporter Students may be able to hit the snooze button a few times before registering for class next Fall. The Office of the Registrar is looking into moving the registration start time back two hours to 7 a.m. According to Registrar Kay Anderson, student feedback pushed the idea of a time change, although the change has been considered before. “We’ve been looking at the 5 o’clock time for a while,” Anderson said. “At the end of every registration cycle we do a survey of the process so we added some questions about if you could change registration time; by far students’ top preferences were midnight and 7 a.m.” The 5 a.m. time period was chosen back when the registration process took longer. It guaranteed students would have plenty of time to complete registration before 8 a.m. classes. Anderson said the time stuck even as technology evolved and registration took less and less time. The 5 a.m. time also prevented any conflicts between going to class and registering. “We generally know that (registration is) generally really quick,” Anderson said. “Almost all of our registration is finished in five to 10 minutes.” Anderson feels that a 7 a.m. registration is a better choice to avoid problems with the system. “At midnight we don’t have any (Information Technology) service so if something goes wrong there would be no one to be here,” Anderson said. “The difference at the 7 a.m. time is that some of our IT people get here as early as 4 a.m. It would really shorten that time frame if (students) had problems and when they could get help.” Anderson said the Office of the Registrar
Registration page 6
News Flash
Secret Service aids with fraud cases Contrasting views among local officials leave debit card theft suspects unknown Chelsea Thomas Senior Reporter The Secret Service has partnered with Public Safety and the Milledgeville Police Department to investigate the continuing debit card frauds affecting students, faculty and some Milledgeville residents. As the investigation continues those guilty remain unidentified. As of March 1, there were over 105 reported debit card frauds at Georgia College, including both students and staff. The Milledgeville Police Department had an estimated 27 reported cases.
“The sheer number of victims is so large,” said Public Safety Detective Michael Baker. “We can track down the suspects all day long and we want to, but that is not going to stop the problem. We have to stop the source and the person who is stealing the numbers and duplicating these cards.” The Secret Service was asked to join the investigation because they have worked many similar cases. “The (Secret Service) brought some of their resources that we don’t have available to us,” Baker said. “They were able to check out one of our locations that we believe
is compromised. They were able to extract some information and are in the process of further analyzing it in the hopes of tracing the original person that began the breach.” However, many details of the investigation remain hazy. Whereas Public Safety confirmed that the compromise is occurring at an offcampus establishment in Milledgeville, Dray Swicord, the Chief of Detectives for Milledgeville Police Department, cannot confirm this. Baker suspects that the central perpetrators may have never been to Milledgeville and it was a possible system compromise, “like
online hacking,” however, Swicord suggested that the compromise could be at a downtown establishment and may involved use of the university’s Wi-Fi. “At this point, I don’t think anyone can clearly say if its off-campus or on-campus,” Swicord said. “Yet, no particular business has been pinpointed to have been the source of the compromise.” One fact is clear: the incoming reports of fraud are declining in number, which could mean that the perpetrator is running out of
Fraud page 6
Blackbird brings beer and wine to menu Caitlin Renn Staff Writer White Chocolate Mocha. Cinnamon Dulce Latte. Fogle Chi. Beer? Blackbird Coffee will soon add alcohol to their beverage choices after acquiring an alcohol license — a two-part process requiring both city and state approval. Blackbird has already received approval from the city of Milledgeville, and should receive approval from the state in the next few weeks, according to one of the shop’s managers Michael Packard. The license will be used only for beer and wine, Blackbird will not be serving any liquor. Owner Jimmy Holder said the shop will carry be-
tween four and five beers, as well as four or five wines to be sold by the glass. “The reasoning behind that is just that we have a lot of people who enjoy our atmosphere in the evening, and want something besides caffeine to consume that late at night,” Holder said. “We feel like it’s going to be a nice addition to Blackbird.” This addition will not see a change in the shops hours as of now. “It was an idea that we have been throwing around for a while,” Packard said. “We’ve been open for six years now and to be a successful business you have to evolve and keep things fresh.” Packard expects the atmosphere to remain comfortable,
Quotable
Rooms of Hope Georgia College faculty and students work with the founder of Rooms of Hope, Linda Griner, to redecorate the bedrooms of critically ill children in Milledgeville.Volunteers spend time with each of the children to determine what Disney-themed room suits their specific personalities. The organization uses donations to pay for the $3,000 to $5,000 projects and is always looking for volunteers.
The State Senate passed the bill to change the requirements for the HOPE Scholarship on March 8. The bill will now go back to the House of Representatives, where it originally passed, for a vote before heading to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk for signing. House Bill 326 will cut the amount of scholarship aid students receive from HOPE. Students who maintain a 3.0 GPA will still receive the scholarship, but it will not cover the full cost of tuition. Future HOPE aid will be based on lottery revenue and not tuition rates. In addition, HOPE will no longer distribute aid for books or fees. The only students who will have their full tuition covered will be those considered Zell Miller Scholars. To be a Zell Miller Scholar, students must graduate high school with a 3.7 GPA and have at least a 1200 SAT score. Zell Miller Scholars must keep a 3.3 GPA during their time at college. House Bill 326 was changed so that HOPE will only cover remedial courses offered in technical colleges. Before, it would not cover remedial courses at all. Students attending private colleges in Georgia will only receive $3,600—a $400 decrease from the current amount. The bill will also limit the number of chances students have to regain the scholarship. Currently, students have unlimited opportunities to earn back HOPE. Under House Bill 326, they will only have one. Other changes include reducing pre-k school year from 180 to 160 days and class sizes increasing from 20 to 22. This will open 2,000 more slots statewide—3,000 less than the original proposal. Pre-k teachers will also see a pay cut of up to 10 percent. Deal praised the passage in a press release sent out on March 8.
“The State Senate today gave a gift to future generations of Georgia’s outstanding students by preserving the promise of the HOPE scholarship,” Deal said. “I have worked closely with members of the Senate to find common ground on how best to save this important program. Any reforms to the HOPE scholarship require careful consideration because Georgians care deeply HOPE about this issue, and we are proud that Scholarship our HOPE program -Students with a 3.0 holds national promi- cumulative GPA will nence.” still receive HOPE, During the four- however, it will not hour debate about cover all tuition costs the bill, Sen. Jason Carter of Decatur -Zell Miller Scholars proposed an amend- will receive full tuition ment to grandfather coverage.They must in current college have a 3.7 high school students and reform GPA and keep a 3.3 lottery revenue to college GPA direct more money to education. The -Future HOPE aid will amendment was de- be based on lottery feated and will not be revenue instead of tuition rates included in the bill. According to Cartwill no longer er, lottery revenues -HOPE supply aid for books will fund less than or fees 22 percent of tuition costs in 2020. -In 2020, Lottery At the time of pub- revenues are estimatlication, the bill had ed to fund 22 percent not been voted on by of tuition costs the House of Representatives, but Deal is confident it will be addressed swiftly. “We’ve witnessed tremendous leadership in the House to save HOPE and I trust that members in the House will act quickly to jump this final legislative hurdle,” Deal said.
“Anytime they see anything that’s posted for the Music Department and especially the Jazz Band, they should definitely come out. It’s not a typical boring night out at the concerts.” - Chris Probst, Jazz Band Director
See page 15
relaxing and intimate, however, customers will now have more beverage options. “The main thing is that we don’t want this place to turn into a bar,” Packard said. “Serving alcohol sometimes comes with trouble, but we will have no tolerance for calamity.” Blackbird will offer a different kind of environment for a casual drink than what is currently available downtown. “We’re not by any means trying to compete with some of the bigger bars downtown,” Holder said. “This is more of a place you can come and have a beer, a glass of wine and socialize with friends in a differ
News
Blackbird page 6
Caitlin Renn / Staff Photographer Blackbird Coffee will soon be licensed to sell wine and beer. Michael Packard, one of the managers, expects the atmosphere to stay the same, it will just have an added variety.
Inside
T.J. Maxx to open in Milledgeville Mall.................2 Sodexo renovating for the Fall..............................2
Features
Pride Alliance hosts drag show for charity.......13 Jazz Band plays a show for the age....................15
Sports
Women’s basketball wins Peach Belt.................19 Thunder Crew nominated for award................21 Close Up..........................................................23 Community News....................................10
Number Crunch
12 The number of hours students danced in Magnolia Ballroom during Dance Marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network in Macon. Women from various sororities and men joined in this year to dance for the good cause. See page 13 for more on Dance Marathon.
2
THE COLONNADE
MARCH 11, 2011
Greeks display letters around city Mall to add SCOTTY THOMPSON SENIOR REPORTER Greek letter signs have recently been approved to be on display outside sorority and fraternity houses to help promote Greek pride offcampus. This is a result of a recent agreement between the Student Government Association, along with the Greek organizations on campus, and the Milledgeville Historic Preservation Commission. Greek organizations with houses in the historic district are now allowed to have markers designating their residence outside their homes. While actual letters cannot be placed on the houses, the organizations are allowed to have markers similar to ones already in place that denote the significance of the homes. Two sororities, Alpha Delta Pi and Zeta Tau Alpha, have installed signs in the front yard of their houses so far, and a third, Delta Zeta, is currently finalizing paperwork to install a sign at their house. The compromise came after members of the SGA and the Greek organizations met with the commission as early as last August. “We wanted to get some recognition for those houses, and the HPC was open to them being marked
with the black signs out in front,” said Alissa Torchia, SGA Chief of Staff for External Affairs, one of the main people involved in the agreement. “Will Darden, a welder, got the supplies to weld the signs and put the letters on.” SGA Vice President Evan Karanovich said coming to an agreement with the HPC has been one of SGA’s goals throughout the school year. “It’s something we’ve been pushing for a while, since the beginning of the year, and it’s good for these organizations to be formally recognized,” Karanovich said. “(Torchia) has been one of the main people at the forefront pushing for this.” Zeta Tau Alpha President Kirstie Layne said that her sorority, along with several others, have been working on this issue with the HPC for several years. “It allows us to show the work we’ve been doing with them, and it’s great that they have finally agreed to accept us into the historic district because they have had concerns in the past,” Layne said. “Our sororities deserve to gain the recognition in the community and we should be able to take care of these homes as we have demonstrated we can.” Torchia said that with the signs now being allowed at the houses, the sororities will have more recognition and visibility.
new retail store option SCOTTY THOMPSON SENIOR REPORTER
VANESSA WHITED / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Members of Alpha Delta Pi participate in a sisterhood paint night on the front lawn of their sorority house, which is now permitted to display its letters after a recent approval through the Historic Preservation Commission.
“It serves not only the campus positively, but also the community because it gives the organizations an opportunity to show off the houses, and it allows the HPC to keep up their mission of preserving the historic district,” Torchia said. “Plus it gives the sororities a sense of pride about where they live and
the organization of which they are a part of.” “It’s great that this agreement has been reached and is open to all the Greek organizations,” Karanovich added. “We’re excited for the opportunity for these groups to grow and for the presence of Greek life to be more visible on campus.”
Connect by Hertz receives 29 members in first month BOBBI OTIS STAFF REPORTER Connect by Hertz offers the Georgia College community an opportunity to rent new 2011 Toyota Camrys on a hourly, daily or weekly basis, but few have done so since the introduction of the program in January. Since the Connect by Hertz program debuted on
Georgia College’s campus, it has only seen a small amount of measured success for several reasons. “It’s because we have had a hard time getting the word out,” said Associate Director of Auxiliary Services Greg Brown. “But I expect this program to be huge next year because we will have more time to get the word out. We will have a table at Springfest and
will be at all of the orientation sessions, so everyone will know about it.” Another issue facing the program at Georgia College is that 90 percent of the student body has a car of their own according to Brown. “I think they are a waste of space and money because no one is really going to use them. I would rather use my own car and gas,” sophomore history major
Kelsea Luce said. The program is geared towards international students and students that do not have cars on campus. However, it is difficult for international students to gain approval by Connect by Hertz because they do not always have a driver’s license. The DMVs in their home countries are not as organized as the DMV system in the U.S.
It takes some time for the renter to receive their Connect by Hertz member card, so they have to plan out their rentals in advance. “It takes between six and 12 days to get your card in,” Brown said. “So there is no slack time. You have to think ahead.” Despite these obstacles and after one month of
Beginning this fall, the Milledgeville Mall will have a new clothing department store within its confines. It was recently announced that T.J. Maxx will be opening a new location in the Milledgeville Mall sometime in the early fall according to Thea Houghton, a spokesperson for Marmaxx Media Relations, which the store is a part of. The store will be located in the space Goody’s once occupied. T.J. Maxx is a department store chain that is part of TJX Companies and is based out of Framingham, Mass. The store’s main products include women’s and men’s clothing, women’s footwear, bedding and domestic items, furniture and giftwear. Houghton said Milledgeville was a targeted location for one of their new stores and had exactly what the company was looking for. “Milledgeville fit the demographic that T.J. Maxx always considers before any new store opening,” Houghton said. “We look for areas and communities where the shoppers are fashion-conscious, yet also value-conscious.” Senior management major Holly Reeves said the store’s opening will be a convenience for those students who already shop at other T.J. Maxx locations. “I shop there all the time back home, so it will be a great help to have one here,” Reeves said. “I think it will do very good business.” When the store in Milledgeville opens, it will bring a boost to the local job market, with approximately 60 full and part time employees set to be hired. Several other Georgia College students have also expressed excitement at the new store’s arrival. “It’s just what Milledgeville needs,” freshman management major Caroline Faber said. “I’m a poor college student, and I need a good place to shop for valuable clothing at a reasonable price. T.J.
Hertz page 6
Retail page 6
SABC
The Student Activity Budget Committee
Now taking application requests for
2011-2012
In order to be considered for funding, each
student activity fee funded group, or group wishing to be funded for the first time, must submit an SABC Annual Funding Request. The form can be found at: https://orgsync.com/forms/show/28924 This is the first year that we are conducting this process electronically. The committee is requesting the same information as in past years but each request will be required to be submitted electronically and you will not need to submit eight paper copies of your information. If you have questions, please email sga@gcsu.edu or call 478-445-2795. Applications are Due March 18 at 5 p.m.
Use the QR code to be linked directly to the request form
MARCH 11, 2011
THE COLONNADE
3
Dining hall renovations to start in May, finish in August MATT CHAMBERS SENIOR REPORTER Starting in August, Georgia College students will have five different restaurant options to choose from following renovations to the Maxwell Student Union Dining Hall. The renovations will bring numerous changes in both décor and choice to the dining hall. “Basically everything in the dining hall from the kitchen out to the University Banquet Room will be gutted and renovated…including Hoake (Dining Room), the dining area and seating,” said Executive Directory of Auxillary Services Kyle Cullars. “The biggest difference will be layout; instead of all dining areas together, they’re going to be spread out with seating in between them.” Georgia College will be following the Restaurant Collection by Sodexo, whose 10-year contract will begin May 1. In the Restaurant Collection, the dining hall’s serving stations will be split into five separate areas: The 360 Grill, Basic Kneads, The Wild Mushroom, Bella Trattoria and Flying Star Diner. At the 360 Grill, students will be able to pick from a variety of foods accessible from all sides. Students can choose their own ingredients and watch the chef make a custom meal for them. The station will be the centerpiece of the new dining hall located approximately where the drink fountains are in the current layout.
The Restaurant Collection by Sodexo
Basic Kneads will be the name of a deli area with madeto-order sandwiches as well as soups, chips and dips. The station will be set up against the wall of the University Banquet Room. The Wild Mushroom will offer made-to-order salads, sandwiches and vegetarian and vegan entrees. The Wild Mushroom is attached to the 360 Grill, facing Basic Kneads. According to Cullars, locally supplied fruits and vegetables will also be offered for students at The Wild Mushroom. Pizza and pasta will be served at Bella Trattoria along with artisan bread. Bella Trattoria will take the place of the side drink fountain in the current layout. The Flying Star Diner will provide many different foods from the grill along with allday breakfast. The décor of the diner will be based off an oldfashioned eatery with tile floors and metallic finishes. The diner will be located where the current food stations are. “At the five dining stations we’ll have daily specials already prepared, but at every station you can also customize,” Cullars said. “All of this is based on a survey of our students and their wants.” Along with dining changes, the dining hall will see a large assortment of new seating options. “(The seating) will be a good mix of booths and a few large tables, but primarily fourseat square tables…some two-
•
Made-to-order salads
•
Vegetarian and vegan entrees • • Flexibility to prepare pasta • and other items Local and seasonal produce
• •
•
SUBMITTED BY KYLE CULLARS The tentative layout for the dining hall that is scheduled to be completed by Fall semester. There will be five different food stations located in the area with seating scattered throughout the room.These stations will each have a different specialization allowing students more freedom to customize their meals.
seat tables and even some bar seats for individuals,” Cullars said. “The idea is to try and maximize that usage with the variety.” Other changes include moving the entrance to the Hoake Dining Room and the opening of the University Banquet Room. According to the pro-
posal by Sodexo, there will be an exit display that offers thought-provoking commentary on food and the environment because “today’s students are the most environmentally involved in history.” The renovations will begin after graduation and are expected to be completed by the first week of August. Accord-
•
Breakfast available all day
Basic sandwiches
•
Philly cheesesteaks
Made-to-order sandwiches
•
New York-style ruebens
Homemade soups
•
Chips, spreads and dips
•
ing to Cullars, the estimated cost of the renovations will be around $3 million. Auxiliary Services is currently exploring options for dining this Summer. “We’re looking at the possibility of a (fully-enclosed) tent or tents as dining facilities… another option is open-air tents,” Cullars said. “Another
•
Pizza
•
Stromboli dishes
•
Hot oven sandwiches
Macaroni and cheese
•
Artisan breads
Grilled cheese
•
Soups
alternative is we will use the University Banquet Room as much as we can because there’s not as much renovations there.” According to Cullars, more of the on-campus retail options will be open during the Summer. Food for the summer camps and conferences will be given out at the Centennial Center instead of the dining hall.
•
Fun and interactive dining experience
•
Asian to Southwest and everything in between
•
Circular and accessible from all sides
Program offers high school students college credit hours BOBBI OTIS STAFF REPORTER Thirty three high school juniors are now college students as well. Members of Georgia College’s Early College program are getting a head start on their college careers by taking classes at Georgia College while simultaneously earning their high school diplomas. GCEC is an alternative option for middle and high school students who reside in Baldwin and Putnam counties. Starting in seventh grade, students who attend Baldwin or Putnam county schools, who are chosen by their respective schools, are given the opportunity to attend this unique school on Georgia College’s campus. GCEC gives the students a chance to earn up to 60 college credit hours while they complete their high school education. The Early College’s Legacy Class of 2006 began taking college courses in the Fall of 2010 and have been earning credit as well as taking on a high school course load. Principal Camille Murner is pleased with the results she is seeing from her students. “This is our first time (seeing students take
high school and college classes) and they are earning between three and seven hours in a semester and they will be back as (high school) seniors next year,” Murner said. Murner has seen this program as a great learning experience for the students enrolled in GCEC. “It has been a learning experience. They’ve grown up a lot and they’ve learned a lot. They have had a lot of social adjustments as far as being accepted by some of the college students but some college students have been phenomenal,” Murner said. “They’ve helped our students be allowed to enter their study groups and that kind of stuff. So, that gives our students an opportunity to work with students who are older and who understand the college experience more and also have conversations outside of their own social groups.” Since this is the first class of GCEC students, Murner has observed changes she would like augment in the future to improve the program. “I think change is important no matter what you are doing,” Murner said. “I think you have
College page 6
4
The Colonnade
March 11, 2011
WGUR offers students new experiences Matt Chambers Senior Reporter
Matt Chambers / Staff Photographer WGUR General Manager Ben Elliott has hosted a radio show each semester since he came to Georgia College. His current show, The America Hour airs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday.
It doesn’t stand out from the other doors in the hallway. And if you didn’t know where to look you’d probably walk by without a second thought. But behind Lanier 110’s wooden door with a keypad is a radio station—an opportunity. WGUR 88.9 is Georgia College’s campus radio station—one of the 21 college stations in the state of Georgia, according to Quadphonic.com. The studentrun station is housed in a fourroom, square office. One room for storage, one for recording and pre-production, one for on-air production and one—the largest of the four—for everything else. There’s a couch with a brown throw on it. The wall is lined with previous T-shirts and bumper stickers. A mural of the station’s logo is painted on the far wall greeting all who enter. As inviting as the large room is, it isn’t where the magic happens. The production room is a small closet-sized room with walls lined with CDs of previous hits. Here, in this room students leave their books behind and enter a fast-paced world of song requests
and microphones to become onair radio show hosts. Senior mass communication major Ben Elliott has been on air for four years. After hours of airtime, his fingers now deftly move over the soundboard adjusting everything perfectly before he goes live on a weekly show. “I’ve had shows from sports, talk to local music and morning shows; I kind of try to do just about everything,” Elliott said. “So I kind of rose to the ranks from the very bottom not even knowing if that’s what I wanted to do to the point where I love it a lot.” Elliott is now the general manager of the station along with hosting a show called America Hour every Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. He happened upon a WGUR booth as a freshman and signed up thinking he’d only do it for one semester. “I really enjoyed all the things you can do with radio and I wanted more and to do more radio and then I started looking into professional radio,” Elliott said. “Then I began looking for more and I wanted to be on the exec staff.” Elliott and his co-host Ryan Barr’s show covers a wide variety of topics from politics to current
Matt Chambers / Staff Photographer Inside the office of WGUR 88.9 FM a painted logo can be found on the wall. The station is one of 21 college radio stations in the state of Georgia, according to Quadphonic.com.
events. Right before going on, he slides the microphone volume to about 70 percent—the perfect amount he says—and loads up two or three songs for after his introduction. He lays his show notes on top of the soundboard. One five-by-seven sheet of paper filled on both sides is all Elliott needs—not that he really needs it after all the research he does for
the show. “There’s a lot of preparation involved. A lot of people think radio is just sitting in front of a microphone and talking and giving your opinion the whole time and it’s a lot more than that. You have to know what you’re going
Radio page 5
City promotes local vendor use Smiley Kids instills Rebecca Buns Senior Reporter City Council is giving local vendors a leg up on regional and national competition. On Feb. 22, City Council unanimously approved Ordinace 0-1102-001 to amend the purchasing policies and procedures to add a section entitled “Local Vendor Preference Provisions.” The ordinance gives local vendors an advantage when competing for city contracts. The ordinance states that when there is “a financial or operational benefit to the city as a result of less down time, faster delivery, an improved routine or warranty maintenance schedule, better agent response or other best management practice advantage” with the city, a local vendor preference provision may be enacted. To be considered for this ordinance, a local vendor must have had a city of Milledgeville business license for at least one year previous to the bid award date and have a current business license. The local vendor must also be able to match the qualified, low non-local vendor’s bid within seven percent. According to City Councilman Steve Chambers, the motivations are to encourage local vendors to bid on city projects and stimulate local growth. “Since the economy went south there has been a big push to try to create local growth everywhere, not just here but everywhere. You can see it from the state down,” Chambers said. “Basically everyone is trying to help their own. It’s a totally different atmosphere than its always been.” For bigger city projects, larger companies from outside Milledgeville usually scoop up the projects. The Local Vendor Preference Provisions will try to alleviate this issue. “What we are trying to do is to create the situation that if we have a situation where a small construction company that maybe in the past thought ‘I’m not going to bid on that because the (a
At a Glance: Local Vendor Preference Provisions A local vendor is a qualified provider of services and/or materials that has had a City of Milledgeville business license for at least one year prior to the bid award date. They also must have a current business license to be eligible. For the provision to be enacted the local vendor’s bid must match the non-local vendor’s bid within seven percent. The ordinace’s purpose is to encourage local vendors to bid on larger projects and stimulate local growth. larger, out-of-city company) or whoever are going to come along and zap it up,’ it kind of gives them the incentive to go ahead and participate in the bid process,” Chambers said. “And if they get within that seven percent, then they have the opportunity to meet or beat the winning bid. The winning bid is not always the lowest bid but it usually is. You are trying to get the best job for the best price.” Unlike out-of-city or out-of-state contractors, local vendors have extra incentive to perform well. “Number one they live here. If they do a shoddy job, they have to answer to it and answer to it all the time,” Chambers said. “And number two they probably take pride in their work. It might cost them a little bit but they are going to try to do it.” According to Chambers, local spenders are also more likely to hire locally. So the Local Vendor Provisions Preference is not just for the company but also for all the employees involved in the company and locals they give work to. “A lot of times when we are hiring people from out of town they are bringing people from other areas,” Chambers said. “It’s still not bad for the economy because they are staying in our hotels and eating our food and shop, but at the same time we’re not helping out who all we need to help the most. You don’t have to be unemployed to necessarily hurt.” While the city of Milledgeville bids
out major projects, as a state institution Georgia College follows a different set of policies and procedures than the city according to Director of Materials Management and Central Services Mark Meeks. “There are certain avenues we have to go through,” Meeks said. “The state of Georgia has something called the Georgia Procurement Registry. We put all our bid opportunities on there. It doesn’t focus in on Milledgeville vendors. It is statewide, nationwide. The way the state of Georgia looks at it they are trying to get the best value for their dollar.” Georgia College is required to go through the bid process for any project over $5,000—projects like Herty Hall and the Wellness Center—in order to secure the lowest responsible and responsive bid, or best value bid. Under that threshold, however, the university tries to keep money locally by purchasing materials at establishments like Lowes and Ace Hardware. “We are bound by state of Georgia state policy and procedure,” Meeks said. “If we are not in a bid situation we love dealing with local vendors, we prefer to deal with local vendors because they are right here and it helps Georgia College help the community. We want to be good stewards with the local tax payers money too. We want to get the best value. And sometimes that’s with local vendors and sometimes its not.”
good dental habits Brooks McAlister Staff Writer
Sophomore biology major Courtney LaHatte is smiling. Smiling because she’s helping instill good habits in local youth. She has recently re-instated the Smiley Kids Club at Georgia College to raise dental hygiene awareness for children, elementary school age in particular. The Smiley Kids Club was started approximately six years ago with pre-school age children, however, it dwindled and disappeared for a while. LaHatte is a biology major with a pre-dental concentration hoping to be an orthodontist one day. Her passion for dental hygiene led her to the Smiley Kids Club, which she gladly took under her wing. LaHatte has a passion for children and is also involved in Art Stop for Kids, Homework Helpers and various other children related service activities on campus and around the community. “I started working with kids when I did Art Stop for Kids. I absolutely love working with them; they are so entertaining,” LaHatte said. “I think that affecting the youth in a positive way and making an impact is so important because they are our future.” In addition to LaHatte, there are 16 other Georgia College students who are involved with the program. The club hopes to be up and running by early April. Their tentative plan is to travel around to local elementary schools and utilize fun learning tools such as instructive videos, coloring sheets, a mouth model
and songs to instruct the children on proper tooth brushing, the importance of visiting the dentist and healthy eating to maintain strong, healthy teeth. Targeting elementary school children is the main focus because statistics show that more than 51 million hours of school are missed by children each year due to dental related illnesses, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. “I think that the Smiley Kids Club is a great opportunity to inform students about a crucial subject that is not being formally taught in schools and helping them to become all-around healthier people,” said sophomore early childhood education major Katie Breitenbach. Of children ages two to 11, 42 percent have had tooth decay in their primary teeth. In addition, those living in families with lower incomes have more tooth decay, according to the NIDCR. “I think it is so important for kids to not only brush their teeth, but also to learn to floss properly so they can learn the importance of being healthy early on,” said sophomore French major Chloe Carpenter. In addition to the Smiley Kids Club members teaching children about oral hygiene, they also provide a positive influence and are a set of role models.With the help of the members of the Smiley Kids Club, children in Baldwin County can learn the skills necessary to keep themselves healthy, and ideally, will pass the information on to others.
MARCH 11, 2011
THE COLONNADE
5
New technology fosters new possibilities CHELSEA THOMAS SENIOR REPORTER An elementary special education student struggles with writing legibly. His hand shakes and it is hard for his fingers to always clutch the pencil. Frustration often leads to distress. Although his teacher has tried to help, she still has trouble reading and grading his in-class assignments. But now this young learner and others like him can use a specialized wireless keyboard to type his assignments. This technology addresses a need that at one time seemed insurmountable. Laptops, eBooks and iPads are becoming increasingly prevalent in classrooms. Yet, only recently has technology been invented for the improvement of special needs education and lifestyles. With assisstive technology being demanded and manufactured, more special needs classrooms are beginning to witness improvements in students’ education. Katie Hanna, a senior special education major at Georgia College, is the Knight Foundation Community Service Scholar for 2010-2011. She teaches at Digital Bridges, a Georgia College venture focused on creating community-owned initiative for Milledgeville in
SMART Technologies Founded in 1987 by David Martin and Nancy Knowlton The 1st interactive whiteboard that was introduced in 1991 1.9 million SMART Board interactive whiteboards have been sold into education, business and government settings SMART Board interactive whiteboards are used in more than 1.6 million kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms, by more than 40 million students globally SMART Notebook collaborative learning software has been downloaded in 175 countries around the world SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and through distributors in more than 100 countries the information age. “A project I worked on for Digital Bridges started off working with a child who was 3 who couldn’t communicate,” Hanna said. “So I helped him learn how to use his Dynavox, which is an augmentative communication system that costs about $8,000. All the student has to do is touch the picture for it to vocalize his thoughts and wants.” The 3-year-old suffered brain injury when he was 1 month old. His speech therapist recommended the technol-
Radio
Continued from page 4... to talk about,” Elliott said. “You have to know what you’re going to transition between topics; you have to know what songs you’re going to play; you have to know something about the artist. For about an hour show there’s about two hours of preparation.” Not everything is thoroughly planned though. Since radio is live, there are plenty of opportunities for mishaps. “When I first started doing radio we used to have to read sponsorships…
ogy to his parents. However, the machine was never used because it was too difficult for their family to find time to program it. In fact, Hanna discovered the best way to program it for the child’s benefit. “I took the manuals home and studied and studied… played with it and then studied more,” Hanna said. “By getting to know him and the software at the same time I was able to determine what he needed from the Dynavox.” By observing him and programming the device to best
and it seems like our radio show always got the most awkward ones; I could never say these without laughing,” Elliott said. “One time we were having to do announcements and I had to do the ‘Vagina Monologues’ and it was just ‘Come to MSU Lounge, this is going to happen;’ It was like a detailed descriptive thing on ‘Vagina Monologues’ and me and my co-host could not stop laughing. I felt bad because I knew these people were listening but we could not do it— two guys who are freshman in college could not do that.” Last semester, senior mass communication major Ian Bridgeforth hit the microphone for his political radio show, Polschat—or #polschat on
suit his needs, Hanna was able to ultimately use the device to teach him the connections between cause and effect – if he pressed this button, the device speaks, etc. It can send text messages, emails and pictures, and provides an easy-to-use touchpad. The child who previously struggled to be understood by anyone other than his parents, can now utilize technology to communicate with others. This opens doors to his future. And the Dynavox is just one of many Augmentative
Twitter. “Originally, it started as a Twitter party or Twitter chat. In my effort to try and make things different and try to stand out from other Twitter chats, because there are literally hundreds of them, I decided to have an online element and bring radio into it,” Bridgeforth said. “It would be interactive, you can hear things and it won’t just be sitting online for an hour.” The radio show was heard all over the country thanks to WGUR’s online live stream. Audience members interact and discuss the political topics of the show on Twitter. Due to the amount of political news, his show required extensive planning. To prepare for his show, Bridgeforth scoured the
Internet for political news and videos he feels need to be discussed. “I would prepare maybe four to five hours. Maybe less, but for safety I make sure to get as much time to be as prepared,” Bridgeforth said. “I’ll look and see what the news of the day is and what interests people. Some times it’s personal, sometimes you feel like ‘I need to talk about this.’” Radio has allowed Bridgeforth to share his political passion. Like Elliott, Bridgeforth started at the radio as an experiment and it grew into a love. Bridgeforth, like Elliott, also had his fair share of problems on air as a freshman. “Freshman year…we came into the station and we were just play-
off % 10 I.D. with
Communications Devices for people with Autism, ALS, cerebral palsy, brain injury or other speech related conditions. Like Hanna, Cathy Hollis has also witnessed schools beginning to embrace technology. Hollis is the support services coordinator at the Early Learning Center. She has assisted many instructors with utilizing iPads in preschool classrooms. “We began using the iPad this year with our children with special needs,” Hollis said. “All the feedback I have received from our teachers and speech pathologists has been overwhelmingly positive. Communicating with others is at times a big hurdle for a lot of children with special needs and we have found that the iPad has been able to assist in helping to fill that void.” The center is trying to build one hearing-impaired child’s Sign Language vocabulary. “We use the wireless Internet to have a signing website available at all times so when we need to use a sign that some staff may not be familiar with it can be easily retrieved and communication can be maintained with this student,” Hollis said. Another popular teaching method that is swiftly spreading is the use of SMART Boards,
an interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user input. “SMART Boards are huge at my (placement) school, Gray Elementary,” Hanna said. “Every single fifth grade classroom has one. The students get to come up and interact. It has all the kinesthetic methods, which kids respond to best.” According to the company that makes SMART Boards, collaborative learning software has now been downloaded in 175 countries For special needs students in particular, the SMART Boards enable both visual and audio learning. The teachers can record and quantify the students’ work on the board for analysis later. According to Futuresource Consulting, in 2009 SMART Boards “led the interactive whiteboard category with a 61 percent annual share in the United States and 48 percent globally.” Yet, there are some obstacles to using this cutting edge technology. Sometimes a SMART Board might not be fully appreciated and utilized, and which may be due to the teacher’s own struggle with adjusting to the technology.
Technology page 6
ing around and playing (music from) ‘Lion King’ and stuff like that and somehow one of the station officers came in and took us out, that was the end,” Bridgeforth said. Now he plays much more relevant music for his audiences. There is no longer any Disney music heard during his shows. “I’ll play whatever you hear at say Kroger or Wal-mart—granted that music might be spanning from decades—it’s sort of that thing, easy,” Bridgeforth said. “But then again I was at Kroger and I heard Beyoncé.” So if you hear the sounds of “Single Ladies” or “Halo” from Lanier Hall, just know Bridgeforth’s at the microphone for WGUR 88.9.
Lunc h Punc h Card Avai lable
www.lieupekings.com [Sign up online to get free monthly coupons]
6 Hertz
Continued from page 2... operation on campus, 29 people have signed up to be members of Connect by Hertz and there have been 11 rentals. The average mileage per rental for the rentals was 139 miles. Students, faculty and staff of Georgia College can sign up for free to rent a car from Georgia College’s branch of the Connect by Hertz program online on the Connect by Hertz website. A rate starting at $8 per hour will open the doors to the car and give the driver access to a variety of special features. These features include:
THE COLONNADE gas (with a gas card included in the car), insurance, GPS turn-by-turn navigation, 24/7 Roadside Assistance, 24-hour Member Care Center and 180 free miles per day. “I think it’s a great thing for people who can’t afford a car, but need an alternative form of transportation besides the infamous shuttle,” junior mass communication major Bob Titolo said. Another amenity the program offers is that it has locations that are dispersed throughout the world. If you are a Connect by Hertz member you can rent a car anywhere there is a Connect by Hertz location almost instantaneously. See connectbyhertz.com for more information.
College
Continued from page 3... to be ever evolving in order to continue to grow. We are going to allow every student next year to begin with only one (college) course. And that way we are able to watch them easier and make that transition smoother.” The HOPE Scholarship stands to see changes to the amount of awards given to students in the near future, but Murner seems confident that GCEC students
Registration
Continued from page 1... would open at 7 a.m. on registration days. She also thinks other offices around campus would open early for students with registration difficulties. According to Anderson, the only concern with a 7 a.m. time is the students that will be involved in off campus activities for cohorts. However, many of the cohorts are structured so that members do not select their
Fraud
Continued from page 1...
BOBBI OTIS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Hertz rental cars stay parked by the clocktower for student use. The program has had 29 students register and 11 cases of student use since its inception in January.
will continue their education into college. After the students graduate in Spring 2012, Murner predicts that they will continue their education at Georgia College since it is in or near their hometown. “I think these students have enough moxie that they are not afraid to go out there and borrow the money in order to make their life better,” Murner said. GCEC junior Raven Mosley is one of the students taking high school and college classes. Mosley is earning six credit hours this semester and is en-
own classes, meaning that they’re not competing for seats with other students. The time change is a topic of discussion among students. The change is either a positive or negative depending on the person. “It’s too early. 7 a.m. is better, I guess,” said freshman undeclared major Mary Frances. “I would rather have it at night because I don’t have any early classes.” Freshman undeclared major Erin Gammage agrees there should be a later option considered, but is happy this change is being made for
Technology
Continued from page 5... “The student is the one who benefits so it is difficult when the adults are the one’s cutting it out and not allowing the student access,” Hanna said. “The students, the generation behind us, love the technology even more than we do. They love to calibrate it or work on this or change that. They even beg me to get to erase the board after class.” Other personalized technological additions are being implemented. In fact, that student mentioned earlier- the one who could hardly grasp his pencil - is in Hanna’s placement class at Gray Elementary and due to his new keyboard, can now easily upload his comments on a Microsoft Word document and print it for assignments. “This way we eliminate the messy handwriting and the stress. His thoughts can actually come out on paper,” Hanna said. Overall, technology is slowly becoming an asset to special needs studets. Technology is more than educational. It arms these young people with confidence and inspires them to realize their potential. According to FERL, a post-secondary site providing research on the use of information learning technologies, reports that special needs students show increased motivation and enjoyment when interacting with SMART Board technology. Plus, tutors can use multimedia
MARCH 11, 2011
rolled in Sociological Perspectives and English 1102 at Georgia College. “I want to transfer to UGA and major in psychology and go to Princeton to become a criminal lawyer,” Mosley said. In addition to earning college credits, students at GCEC now have access to new laptops that have been in use since January. Thanks to a donation by David and CC Sinclair, who are new to the area, twenty new Dell laptops are being used by students at the Early College to complete online classes, homework assignments and for various other educational activities.
next year. “I feel like it could be at a later time and people could still register before class,” Gammage said. “7 a.m. is better than 5 a.m.” Other students don’t know why the registration is so early. “I think it’s terrible; mainly because I don’t understand why it’s so early,” said senior English major Eden Teague. “I would like having it at night because I’m a night owl.” Anderson said the Office of the Registrar just wants to simplify the registration process.
“In the end what we’re trying to do is make the registration process a little easier, a little less stressful, less intimidating, less frustrating for our students,” Anderson said. “We want to make (the time) change so we can make that happen.” The earliest a time change would be in place is next Fall. This semester’s registration time will remain at 5 a.m. “We’re still looking into it,” Anderson said. “We’d like to implement it next Fall unless we hear very strong objections.”
resources for learning efficiency. “(SMART Boards) make the learning fun and engaging. It is a versatile program by putting the same information but making it exciting way for the students,” Hanna said. Heather Holder, director of Digital Bridges, says she sees infinite possibilities for the growing spectrum of technical appliances and devices. “I believe technology is a tool that can have infinite impacts on the special needs population… through experimentation, observation and creative application individuals are able to overcome many challenges that were once limiting,” Holder said. Now the main issue for many educational programs is funding. Many poorer counties’ educational systems do not have the funds to allot to new technology. Hollis said the Early Learning Center is lucky. “As a program, we know that technology will improve every year and so we have been fortunate enough to be able to budget for some of that need,” Hollis said. “At times, we have also applied for grants that are specifically targeted at improving the use of technology in education.” As technology continues to evolve in the commercial market, it is likely educational technology will follow suit. Many believe one elementary student having more confidence in his writing or a 3-year-old enabled to communicate makes all this technology more than worth it.
debit card numbers or has stopped selling them temporarily or has moved on. As victims begin to be refunded their money and are appointed a new debit card, Detective Baker said students are not those solely suffering from the fraud. “Even though we have (105) victims the banks are refunding the money. So it’s really the banks that are the victims here. They are losing a lot of money in this,” Baker said. Yet, those who had debit card fraud have still experienced problems having their money refunded. Bryan Smith, senior mass communication major, became aware of a suspicious $250 charge on Feb. 20. The fraud occurred at the Wal-Mart in Eatonton. “The biggest hassle was waiting until the charge was officially
Blackbird
Continued from page 1... ent setting.” Students seem to support this augmentation of Blackbird’s menu. “I think that if the clientele accepts the universal idea of a coffee shop then they will really appreciate Blackbird’s willingness to adapt as an important fixture in the community,”
posted to my account before I could make a claim,” Smith said. “The charge occurred on a Friday and wasn’t posted until the following Tuesday. Once it was posted, I talked with a representative at the local branch. She made a call to fraud monitoring, and they recorded my information. From there, I just waited until the money was refunded.” As new video surveillance of suspects using the stolen card numbers are obtained and both departments continue researching, Baker hopes that a strong lead will come to resolve the situation. “I feel like we are getting close. It is just that we have to go through a lot of people to get to the source. That is going to take some time and need cooperation on their part,” Baker said. The four suspects Public Safety originally identified are now believed to be those below the main hacker responsible for selling the card numbers.
said Emily Davidson, a graduate student studying secondary education. “I study here because they know what they’re doing with coffee, and because I feel at home here. I don’t think any of that will change when they start offering other options.” Junior nursing major Jesika Day often studies at Blackbird and was also in favor of the additions. “It’s cool that they’re offering vari-
Retail
Continued from page 2... Maxx offers the best quality for a great price.” Senior history major Ryan Barr said it’s good for Milledgeville to welcome a variety of stores. “It’s good to see lots of dif-
ety,” Day said. The staff and management at Blackbird began talking about adding alcohol to the menu last August, but progress began around Christmas. After the two-part approval process, the next step involves talking to distributors. “In the past we just didn’t feel ready, but we’re in a better place for it now,” Packard said. “We think it’ll offer a great option.”
ferent stores coming,” Barr said. “I think it should bring plenty of people to shop there, and it is very popular with the college demographic, which we have here.” Officials from the City of Milledgeville and the Milledgeville Mall will be arranging a meeting for a later time to further discuss details of the store’s opening.
Opinion
March 11, 2011• Editor-in-Chief, Matt Chambers
Inspired by bathroom graffiti ALEX SMITH Sometimes you find inspiration in the most unusual of places. One of those places is a public restroom. Often in public restrooms you will find some nasty, profane comments on the walls of your stall, but the ones in Arts & Sciences are special. While they do contain a few unsavory comments, usually directed toward a fraternity or sorority, there are quite a
few metaphysical statements and dialogue. Of course I am only referring to the men’s restrooms since I don’t have access to the women’s restrooms, which I assume are glorious sanctuaries complete with couches and other lounging equipment, all of which men can never be trusted with. I guess it’s because we are in an academic setting that sets our bathroom vandalism apart from the kind in roadside gas stations. I have never seen the question “Why am I here?” posed in a Shell gas station. Normally the stall is littered with sexual and racist phrases. However, in the
second floor Arts & Sciences men’s bathroom that very question is posed. There are a few responses, one relating to the obvious, “to use the bathroom,” and another stating “to make yourself happy.” There is also a great poem, or at least there was, in the third floor Arts and Sciences men’s bathroom. Its aim was to stir the soul of a wayward college student, and it did just that quite well. There are several responses saying that this poem really uplifted them, or even saved their life. I don’t mean to make the custodial staff aware of such vandalism, but I think these dialogues are something that
should applauded. Even our bathrooms where we do our business are canvases for intelligent thought. However, this should not be surprising. While I think we are all capable of this type of existential thinking, often it is left for those who have the time for it. And because it is very difficult to do anything except think while on the toilet, it is no wonder that such philosophical thought graces our stalls. So I propose for SGA to introduce white boards and dry-erase markers on the stalls of the university bathrooms. I think that because not everyone has a sharp
object with them when they use the restroom, many good thoughts never get etched into the stall wall. White boards would alleviate this problem. Sure, there will be some abuses, but if any overtly negative comments are made, those with good intentions will be able to easily erase them. The comments would be completely anonymous and users could treat the board almost as a collective thought bubble for them to draw inspiration. After all, it was the second floor Arts & Sciences bathroom that gave me the inspiration for this column.
American political beliefs An open letter Americans reach conclusions on political beliefs from various outlets of influence. Whether it’s political pundits, a rhetoric-laden speech, persuasive newspaper article or Hollywood rant, political ideology should match one’s belief system. We must choose wisely how we are influenced politically. Pundits have their own, biased agendas. Hollywood plays a role to entertain, NOT to influence or dictate our political beliefs. When they condescend to the public and try to educate our political belief, it’s laughable and should be enough to dissuade Americans. Americans must determine their political beliefs from an educated perspective. An educated perspective encompasses history, issue research, a consideration of what’s best for America and one’s belief system. One cannot afford to be persuaded to what feels good at the time. When it comes to political issues, one must be constantly informed not merely on a set agenda. Knowledge of the issue and making an educated assumption is critical. It’s easy to react the way we are persuaded by the media or politicians, but we must remember these indi-
BEN ELLIOTT viduals are following a biased agenda. Americans must make an effort to vote according to what they believe rather than what they feel at the time. When electing our officials it must be because we feel they are the most qualified for the position. Candidates will tell the public what they want to hear and make superfluous campaign promises, that they do not intend to keep. The true character of the candidate and how they view this country should be the most important qualifications. We cannot afford to take these decisions lightly because ultimately the people we elect make the decisions that affect our lives. We cannot fall into a trap because of a whim of feelings, media popularity tactics or other variety of excuses. The political spectrum is far too broad for our political
beliefs to boil down to party line decision-making ability. It’s far too easy and convenient to choose a political party to make our decisions for us. It’s no doubt that the core values we maintain might align ourselves toward the left, center or right but we cannot afford to become subjective. Our political motivations must match our motivations of this country’s direction and also our belief system. There also must be some form of mutual respect between our political beliefs and those of informed individuals holding contrasting ideologies. Just because someone holds a political view contrary to ours doesn’t mean they are wrong or ignorant. This country’s Constitution protects the freedom to hold individual political beliefs and free and fair elections. We cannot take this for granted. As Americans we must vote in our elections and be educated on the issues and the candidates. Our political ideology is a reflection of how we view our country and a culmination of our belief system. Americans cannot afford to sell out our political beliefs for idealistic or uninformed reasons.
Surviving your senior year stresses CLAIRE CHILDS Senior year seems so stressful! Graduation and getting a job, what should I expect? Senior year is definitely a doozy, and depending on your major it can seem practically impossible. As I embark on the last two months of my college experience, I have to keep one thing in mind to keep from going insane. That one thing, you ask? Well, I tell myself that it’s better to get used to this kind of pace now so that I can be better prepared for the real world. I may have mentioned this before, but I used to hate the comparison of college and the real world. It made me feel as if my reality was not real, or that I was living in a dream world. Well, take my totem away and
get me back there! These days, I lament the loss of days where I could watch television marathons all day long. Bye-Bye Bravo. Senior year has no time for that. So, in short, you should expect to be busy and to be stressed, but after a while, you will adjust and get used to the pace. If you are busy like me then you wont know what to do with yourself when you do have spare time. By senior year, you should know yourself pretty darn well, and you should know how to study and what to focus on or let go. Some of you will be heading straight into the work force, others (like myself) are in a mad dash to secure an internship, and the rest are heading to higher education. Either way all of these routes take lots of preparation. In this way, senior year is a preparation year of applying to law school, grad school, taking the LSAT, the GRE, or working at jobs that are already field-related experience. Therefore, the best advice I can give is to start pre-
AD DISCLAIMER
EDITORIAL BOARD Matt Chambers Editor-in-Chief
Katelyn Hebert News Editor
Amanda Boddy Features Editor
Scotty Thompson
Danielle Paluga
Special Section Editor Leisure Section Editor
Aubrie Sofala
Bobby Gentry
Bobbi Otis
Ad Manager
Rebecca Burns
Lauren Davidson
Drake Simons Claire Childs
Asst. Features Editor Designer Community News Editor
Sports Editor Photo Editor
Connor Johnson
Special Section Editor Leisure Section Editor Special Section Editor Leisure Section Editor Asst. News Editor
Sam Hunt
Asst. Sports Editor
paring in your early college years when school and life are a lot less complicated. Getting a job is by far the most intimating thing in the whole world. Well to me at least. In a lot of ways, getting a job seems like a whole lotta luck, but it really isn’t. These are the things you may need to get a job: a résumé, work samples, cover letter, writing skills, experience, connections, determination AND luck. So please, get organized, keep an updated résumé, hunt down all of your best work and find references. Figure out who you know, or who your dad knows. The power of a personal connection is not to be underestimated. It seems cheesy, but in a lot of cases that connection makes the difference. If you feel overwhelmed, then that’s okay. Here’s the thing to remember: Stay calm, be proactive and it will all work out. Eventually.
Webmaster
Ross Klein
Business Manager
Macon McGinley Faculty Adviser
The Colonnade is not responsible for any false advertising. We are not liable for any error in advertising to a greater extent than the cost of the space in which the item occurs. The Colonnade reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication. There is no guaranteed placement of ads. The Colonnade does not accept advertising concerning firearms nor guarantee ads concerning alcoholic beverages.
COPYRIGHTS All stories and photographs appearing in this issue and previous issues, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by The Colonnade.
about HOPE STEVE HOLBERT
Dear Georgia General Assembly, Thank you for raising the HOPE Scholarship qualifications. Many students, professors and educated citizens are outraged, but I understand the only solution to cut spending is cutting the number of students able to attend college. In fact, I believe you could raise the bar even higher. Any student capable of a 3.7 GPA could easily reach a 4.0. If the state is going to pay for something, it should pay for perfection. A kid who cannot maintain a valedictorian GPA is obviously lazy and does not care about their future. Someone who truly needs assistance would study instead of making precious memories, working two part-time jobs to support his or her family or take time to properly mourn the death of a loved one. Actually, all high school students could do all three simultaneously and maintain a 4.0 GPA, if they really tried. In fact HOPE should avoid further diluting funds by also judging high school proficiency on a moral level. Why should lottery money support smokers, gamblers or kids who indulge in premarital sex? The state should only financially assist pinnacles of moral perfection like Jesus or Georgia politicians. Chastity and avoiding cafeteria fights are entirely possible, and students who give into peer pressure do not have the self control for college and are more likely to spend their HOPE checks on liquor. Why stop raising qualifications? Why not judge student perseverance through a physical challenge? People who need money will do anything to pay the bill. Just look at the drug dealers and prostitutes who never attended college. The state should force qualifying students with high grades and high morals to assemble and compete for the money. They could prove their worthiness, like their ancestors, through gunfights or battling giant turtles to capture gold stars. Why not simply have an obstacle course filled with unnecessary hurdles to get the HOPE checks? Either way, the state could sell tickets and raise revenue. When you shrink the student pool, there will be more money for departments that benefit a larger audience like saving endangered moss or pay raises for overworked legislators. When you raise the standards, then personal standards will surely raise and make our state a better place to live. In the meantime, my collegebound cousins and I are going to play the lottery, and if we pick the lucky numbers, we will all enter college in the fall with smiles on our faces. If not, we will smile knowing we are supporting Georgia’s brightest and best. Comedic as always, Steve Holbert
CORRECTIONS • The To Write Love on Her Arm’s event is on Saturday March 12. That is not a Friday as previously reported. • The articles “New three-year science degree offered” and “Nursing graduate test scores climb to highest in Georgia” were switched. Our apologies for any confusions. If you feel anything we’ve printed or posted online has been reported in error, please send an e-mail to ColonnadeLetters@gcsu.edu.
Our Voice Protesting at funerals is indefensible Over the course of the past five years, members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. have begun protests outside of the funerals of fallen soldiers. During these protests, members of the church can be seen holding signs which say things such as “God Hates You,” “Destruction is Imminent” and “Fags are Beasts.” During one funeral in particular—the funeral of Cpl. Matthew Snyder in 2006—Westboro’s followers stood on streets near the location of the service, holding signs accusing Snyder of adultery and other various slanderous speech. Because of this, Snyder’s father Albert Snyder went on to file a lawsuit against Westboro Baptist Church for the emotional harm they brought upon himself as well as his family. The lawsuit went on to pass from court to court. As one court granted the Snyder’s with the money they asked for, an appeal would be filed on the side of the church. The case continued to make its way through the judicial system until finally reaching the end of the road at the Supreme Court. There, a verdict was granted on the side of the church, saying it would be unconstitutional to limit the speech of the church in a public place. Chief Justice John Roberts said the verdict was done in order “to protect even harmful speech on public issues to ensure we do not stifle public debate.” Snyder was distraught based on the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court. Outside of the court following the decision, he said: “We found out today that we can no longer bury our dead in this country with dignity.” Margie Phelps, daughter of church founder Fred Phelps and attorney for the case, claims it was “God’s will” for the case to be ruled on the side of the church. In an interview with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, she stated that “our soldiers are dying for our sins,” and the disasters that continue to occur within our nation are brought on by God. She also said our nation has become too tolerant of homosexuality and divorce, and that is why they picket and protest at the funerals. While The Colonnade will always support freedom of speech, as we would be unable to publish papers otherwise, the blatant lack of respect given to the fallen soldiers is indefensible. The dead should be treated with respect and not slandered, especially not at their own funerals. The Westboro Baptist Church should consider the thoughts and feelings of the dead’s loved ones.
CONTACT US Office: MSU 128 (478) 445-4511 Colonnade@gcsu.edu ColonnadeNews@gcsu.edu ColonnadeFeatures@gcsu.edu ColonnadeSports@gcsu.edu ColonnadeAds@gcsu.edu GCSUnade.com Facebook.com/GCSUnade Twitter.com/GCSUnade OurNewsroomAtNight.Blogspot.com
MARCH 11, 2011
THE COLONNADE
THE LITTER BOX
THOUGHTS AND RANTS OF GEORGIA COLLEGE
If you are gong to go through the trouble to interview someone, please be sure that you have actual facts and attempt to be unbiased. The article written about the bands that played for Homecoming this year is extremely opinionated as well as stating false facts. You could be fired from your job for stating false information, and many have been fired for this very reason. If only you saw me. If only you knew. If only you loved me.You have eyes...why don’t you see?
9
Bobcat Beat REPORTED BYBY H: ILARY REPORTED BOBBY T GHOMPSON ENTRY
“If you could have any store open in Milledgeville, what would it be?”
“A high quality music store like Guitar Center.” Baker Neale, sophomore outdoor education major
Why do we have to pay Housing Social fees when no one even attends the events. To me, it is an unnecessary cost when we already have to pay for everything else...
If someone is gonna complain about SGA, they better have taken the steps to at least talk to them about issues. They’ll be glad to help if you speak your voice! What is there to do in the ville during spring break?
“A Whole Foods would be great, I hate Walmart and Kroger’s produce is just alright.”
Kelsey Benson, sophomore environmental science major
“I would want Target because it’s a better Wal-mart and a great store.”
Leave your message at Facebook.com/GCSUnade Twitter.com/GCSUnade
Text your message to (708) 949-NADE / 6233
L ETTER
“I’d like an R.E.I. as it would provide great equipment for the outdoor ed program and good college student supplies.”
Karsin Talley, junior psychology major
TO THE EDITOR POLICY
The Colonnade encourages readers to express their views and opinions by sending letters to the editor at: CBX 2442; Milledgeville, GA 31061 or by e-mail at colonnadeletters@gcsu.edu.Readers can also log onto GCSUnade.com and post comments on articles to voice opinions.
Only your name, year of study and major will be printed. • Unsigned letters will not be printed. Names will be withheld only under very unusual circumstances. • Letters may be condensed. • All letters will be edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. • All letters become the property of The Colonnade and cannot be returned. • We are not able to acknowledge their receipt or disposition. Letters will be printed at the discretion of the editor-in-chief.
All letters must be typed and include: • names • address/ e-mail address • telephone number • year of study • major
WANTED WR ITE
S
G OTO PH
CA
ERS
PH
RTO O
RA
NIS
TS
ERS
IGN
RS
TOR
EDI
DES
S OR DIT
IST
BE
UM N
WE
S
S
REP
REV
ING TIS
IEW
VER
ERS
AD COL
Jessica Stykes, senior liberal studies major
The Colonnade
Meetings every Monday at 5 p.m. in Maple A Visit us any time in MSU 128
“A Super Target would be nice, it has the selection of Wal-mart while offering better quality.” Monica Smith, senior psychology major
Community Public Safety Report
March 11, 2011 • Editor, Rebecca Burns
What’s Happening
Friday, March 11
1,6
7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Art After Dark and the All of a Sudden Show (Wooten Garner House)
Saturday, March 12 3
2
7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
International Dinner (Magnolia Ballroom) Guest Artist Recital: The Balkan String Quartet (Max Noah Recital Hall)
Monday, March 14
5
12:30 p.m.
Robins Co-op Information Session (Atkinson 110)
Tuesday, March 15
4
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. RSA: Where’s Waldo Bingo (across Georgia College campus) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pie Your Teacher on Pi Day with Scrubby Bear (Fountain) 8 p.m. Milledgeville Memoirs (Campus Black Box Theatre)
Wednesday, March 16 March 3 at 7:14 p.m. Sergeant Miller was dispatched to The Village Building 5 to meet with a resident who stated she was missing over $400 from her bedroom dresser drawer. Housing staff stated they had been having repeated trouble with the resident’s roommate breaking the rules concerning visitors. They stated that the roommate had been allowing her boyfriend to stay in her apartment when she was not present. The roommate had also allowed her boyfriend to stay at her apartment more than three days in a two week period. The roommate had also been smoking in her room and at one time had covered up her smoke detector. Officer Ransom and Sergeant Miller went to the roommate’s room and made contact with her and her boyfriend. The roommate took a long time answering the door, and the officers could hear the sounds of items being moved and hidden. While talking to them about the housing violations, Sergeant Miller asked if they had hidden anything before they opened the door and the roommate replied “No.” The officers asked for consent to search the apartment. Officer Ransom found a suspected marijuana “roach” in an ashtray with some incense, and Sergeant Miller found a homemade device used to diffuse the exhaled smoke in the bathroom trash can. When asked to produce the remainder of the marijuana, the boyfriend took Sergeant Miller to the roommate’s bedroom and showed Sergeant Miller where he had hidden the drugs. He handed Sergeant Miller a small plastic bag containing marijuana and an already rolled grape flavored “blunt” style joint. Further searching found a plastic drink bottle half filled with cigarette butts under the roomate’s bed, as well as a large bottle of Mr. Boston Vodka, three Smirnoff Ice beverages and two test tube “shooters” of another alcoholic beverage in a small refrigerator in the roommate’s bedroom. The roommate claimed the alcohol and tried to claim the marijuana, but the boyfriend stated that he brought the marijuana with him from Athens. In lieu of arrest, the boyfriend was trespassed from all Georgia College property indefinitely, and the roommate is being sent before the Student Judicial Board for underage possession of alcohol and the Housing policy violations. Concerning the original reason for the call, Sergeant Miller advised the female resident he met with that, from the information she supplied, there was no way to prove that anyone took her money. She had suspected roommate and her boyfriend, due to her strained relationship with her roommate. She had no proof that anyone took the money, only suspicions.
hullaballoo
Pickled Peppers March 6 Sergeant Reonas observed two students standing at the corner of Clarke and Hancock streets. One was carrying a yellow wet floor sign used by custodial services and a decorative jar of pickled peppers. The other had in her hand a salt shaker, which she tried to hide behind her back. They advised that they had found the objects on the side of the road. The doors to the main entrance to the dining hall were checked. One of the handicapped doors was unsecured allowing access to the entire Maxwell Student Union. Sergeant Reonas looked around the dining hall and noticed several decorative bottles of similar nature and that the salt shaker matched exactly the type that are on all the tables. They both stated they had not entered the building, but both admitted to drinking. Both were advised that there are cameras in the location, and that investigations would pull the footage to see if they had entered the premises. If so it would be up to Sodexo personnel as to whether or not to pursue further charges. Both still denied entering cafeteria. One is being referred to the student judicial board for underage possession of alcohol. The wet floor sign was placed back in the lobby of cafeteria and the other two items were left on the main counter. The case is active pending retrieval of footage from the dining hall.
Notorious mr. Boston March 2 at 11:57 p.m. Officer Ransom was dispatched to Foundation Hall in reference to possible drug activity, according to Public Safety. Officer Ransom arrived on scene and made contact with 19-year-old resident. Officer Ransom detected the odor of burnt marijuana and during a search of the room, a cardboard tube used to filter the marijuana smoke was located. A search of the closet revealed three bottles of Smirnoff, and a half gallon of Mr. Boston’s Vodka. The bottles were still quite cold and had obviously been removed from the refrigerator only minutes before. The female was completely uncooperative and lied about the use of marijuana in the residence. She was then placed under arrest for underage possession of alcohol. The female was transported to Milledgeville detention and issued a citation for underage possession of alcohol.
Wells Vandalism March 5 Officer Miller responded to a vandalism call on the third floor of Wells Hall, according to Public Safety. Upon arrival Officer Miller made contact with a resident director and found that the ceiling tiles, Internet wiring and a light fixture had been damaged. There are no suspects at this time and the case has been turned over to investigations.
Silent Threat March 6 Sergeant Reonas and Officer Purvis responded to Golden Pantry in reference to a subject harassing customers, according to Public Safety. Upon arrival Officer Purvis and Sergeant Reonas made contact with the male. He smelled of alcoholic beverage, had extremely slurred speech, and had a hard time staying steady on his feet. The clerk at Golden Pantry stated that he attempted to pick a fight with one of the customers. The clerk further stated that when he paid for his food he pulled a pocket knife out of his pocket and sat it on the counter. After the male was told to leave the area, he walked in front of the store and stood there. He was arrested for public drunkenness. While searching the male a cigarette pack with a small bag of marijuana inside was found in his back pocket. He was transported to Milledgeville Police Department and issued citations for public drunkenness and possession of marijuana. The marijuana was confiscated and placed into the evidence locker.
By The Numbers
1
BB Gun recovered on campus
16
Incidents of unauthorized debit or credit card transactions
9 a.m. 10 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 pm 8 p.m. 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
GEICO on-campus interviews (232 Lanier Hall) Safe Spring Break Day: Mocktails (Fountain) Etiquette Dinner (Aubri Lanes) Times Talk (Beeson Hall Lower Level) Student Government Association Senate Careers in Focus Series: Accounting presented by Dr. Catherine Whelan (Atkinson Hall, Room 202) Milledgeville Memoirs (Campus Black Box Theatre) 12 Step Support Group meetings (Arts & Sciences 215) ADPi’s King of Diamonds male pageant (Peabody Auditorium)
Thursday, March 17 10 a.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m.
Safe Spring Break Day: Skin Analysis Machine (Fountain) The Green Mile 5K & Fun Run (Oconee River Greenway 201 East Greene Street) CAB Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Magnolia Ballroom) Concert Band Spring Concert (Russell Auditorium) Milledgeville Memoirs (Campus Black Box Theatre)
THE RED DOOR Antiques Unique Gifts Local Artists Home & Garden Accessories 133 South Wayne St. Downtown Milledgeville
Ladies; both young & young at heart, check out our new clothing boutique! 50% OFF!! HOURS Tues - Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Classifieds FOR RENT 3 bdrm, 2 bath, very nice, centrally located less than 3 miles from GCSU and the mall. $570 per month
Swastika Graffiti March 7 Officer Hicks responded to a call at The Village Building 5, according to Public Safety. Upon arrival, contact was made with physical plant personnel in reference to damaged property. Upon further investigation, Officer Hicks determined the graffiti displayed Nazi swastikas, male genitalia and the name of a resident student. Photographs were taken and the case has been turned over to Detective Butler for further investigation.
Information based upon a submission to The Colonnade by Public Safety.
Houses for Rent Now Leasing for Fall 2011 PET FRIENDLY Large yards/ landscaping included, Appliances included $250-$350 per month
Call: (478) 456-7372 bobinkley@hotmail.com
Call: (478)290-7576 or (678) 591-9998
Want to place a classified ad? Its super easy, just go to www.colonnadeads.weebly.com. email colonnadeads.gcsu.edu or call 478-445-4511
t n i l l i f you
Can
? s k n a l b he 7
1
10 5
11
c o l u m n i s t s
ACROSS 1 4 8 9 10 11 12
6
11
w e b e d i t o r
COLONNADE CL
12
UES
Talented kids who create clever comics that make us laugh Adobe program that super cool newspaper staffers use to put the paper together Awesome folks who fill the paper with articles The ‘nade blog- check it out! The stuff coursing through a ‘naders veins to get them through Wednesday nights and late night articles The magician behind the curtain that is GCSUnade.com Color of the dreaded correction pen DOWN
2 3 5 6 7
The amazing student newspaper of Georgia College Cool cats who snap pictures Folks who get to tell their opinion about life issues The most hectic, productive and crazy day of the week for newspaper staff Go-getters who sell ads and make money
t h e c o l o n n a d e
3
w
88
4
N E W S P A P E R S H H G S M M C S P F
p h o r i t e r s o g r a p h e r s
FIND US! P F A I I A Q P V N T G M A J O L E N I
V W U T Q N P U L A W A P T E N O R O V
BLOG BOBCATS CLOSEUP COLUMNS DEADLINE DESIGN FEATURES FIVEOCLOCK FRONTCAMPUS INTERVIEW
S U P M A C T N O R F L C N B D S U I E
S N M U L O C E T T E T I B L A E T N O
MONDAYS AT 5 P.M. MAPLE A+B OF THE SAC
X A G R P H N W R A E L D Q O Y U A I C
L E I S U R E E A V D S N A G B P E P L
T T M U J V Y N W A I D E S I G N F O O
S T R O P S D U E S S E C R U O S X D C
LEISURE MAPLEAANDB MONDAY NEWS NEWSPAPER OPINION QUOTES SAC SOURCES SPORTS
S V E C P B A D B G F G W S A C K Y X K
Features
March 11, 2011• Editor, Amanda Boddy
Pride Alliance to host drag show
Fifth Annual Charity Drag Show raises funds, awareness for A.N.G.E.L.S.
File Photo From left, sophomore psychology major Brittany Snyder, junior art major Mara DiGiovanni and senior criminal justice major A.J. Joiner perform in last year’s drag show. This year’s show featured 11 performances in Magnolia Ballroom. “Not many people know what it’s like to get down the mannerisms of the opposite sex,” Snyder said of the experience.
Victoria Garafolo Staff Writer
File Photo Senior theatre and English major Steve Holbert hosts the drag show last year. The show raised $800 in tips alone— all of which were donated to the efforts of A.N.G.E.L.S. (AIDS Now Grasps Every Living Soul). This year’s show was held in Magnolia Ballroom on March 10. Thirteen performers joined the effort to raise funds for A.N.G.E.L.S..
Many long hours and much heart were spent diligently practicing and perfecting the performances, gestures and mannerisms for the 5th Annual Charity Drag Show put on by Georgia College’s Pride Alliance. All proceeds go to A.N.G.E.L.S. (AIDS Now Grasp Every Living Soul). It’s a mature show centered on entertaining the students and the community while promoting a worthwhile cause. The biggest motive for the show is to raise awareness while putting on a performance. This year’s show was held in Magnolia Ballroom on Thurs. March 10 and had 13 performers in 11 performance numbers. Besides being entertained for the night, many door prizes were to be won--all of which had been graciously donated by local businesses. Last year, in tips alone, the show raised over $800.
Dancing the day away Twelve-hour Dance Marathon raises funds for Children’s Miracle Network
Jars are placed at the foot of the stage and people “tip” their favorite performers, who then put all of the money towards A.N.G.E.L.S. Some of the performers had been a part of every show since the beginning while there are newcomers as well. “Not many people know what it’s like to get down the mannerisms of the opposite sex,” sophomore psychology major Brittany Snyder said. It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to two and a half hours to get into costume and make-up. Makeup even requires practice with shadows and facial hair among other tricks of the trade- the face is a canvas and the artist gets to create a masterpiece and then become that character on stage. New performer senior music therapy major Grace Nichols was ecstatic about being a part of the show this year. “(The drag show) opens up a door for pride, after the show we gets lots of Facebook messages,
people are interested to know more once they see what the show is all about,” said Nichols. For many, the end result is the most rewarding and entertaining. “To see the energy…seeing the audience get excited about it and absolutely love it when it’s put together, it’s amazing,” senior management information systems major Jonathan Vernon said about the most worthwhile part of being a part of the show. Senior community health major Caitlin McCormick gets to use her prior dance experience with hiphop in two numbers. “I have watched (drag) shows and I have a dance background but I didn’t know what this show was. I wanted to work with A.NG.E.L.S. for my community health major. This was a great way to do so while having fun and raising awareness,” McCormick said. “The choreography is the best
Drag Show page 16
Senior art students prepare capstones
Danielle Paluga Senior Reporter People are dancing around a Las Vegas-themed room in colorful Tshirts and shorts. It is no social—it’s Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a tradition hosted at Georgia College in Magnolia Ballroom each year. Women from different sororities and this year, even some men joined in raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network in Macon. This year’s theme was “Hit the Jackpot for the Kids.” The concept is simple—all that participants have to do is raise $50 and dance on the day of the event. What hasn’t been mentioned is their dedication. These guys and gals dance for 12 hours without sitting down. Belinda Dennis, graduate assistant at The GIVE Center and secondary education major, is in charge of the event this year. She explains that Dance Marathon has been evolving over the years. “Last year, it was only eight hours, but we bumped it up to 12. And also our goal for this year is to raise $28,000 which is 6,000 more than we raised last year,” Dennis said. The amount of money they end up raising is kept a surprise, even from Dennis, until the end of the night. She thanks her strong executive board for helping her make this event a success, but the thing that makes it really special is the stories from kids who are benefiting from the money being raised. More families were able to come out this year than the last to Dance Marathon to talk about how the Children’s Miracle Network has helped them. One of the children served by the event is Cody Honeycutt, a 17-yearold who is passionate about sharing his story. In his speech to the crowd, he expressed how grateful he is for the Children’s Hospital in Macon because he doesn’t have to go all the way to
Taylor Seay / Staff Photographer Senior art major, Brittany Durkee, shows her advisor, Emily Gomez, photos she plans on displaying in her exhibition. Durkee is concentrating in photography and digital media.
Taylor Seay Staff Writer Megha Patel / Staff Photographer Participants in Dance Marathon dance, play games and socialize in an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.The Dance Marathon increased to 12 hours of dancing from eight hours last year. It also increased the goal of money to be raised to $28,000—$6,000 more than was raised at last year’s Dance Marathon.
Atlanta for treatment. He has a certain disorder that makes it difficult to breathe and walk. After he tells his story participants in red shirts take the stage. They chanted “C-O-D-Y” to the beat of “YMCA” by the Village People because they are members of his team. Each team, represented by the different colored t-shirts in the room, has a child that they are cheering for. The teams are put together randomly so that members can meet new people. Jessica Cumbee, a sophomore chemistry major, is the morale leader for the red team. This means she uses her bubbly personality to keep her group pumped up until they stop dancing at midnight. She’s got what it takes for the job because she sang along to
every song they played. “What keeps me motivated the most are the stories about the kids that we are helping,” said Liz Carpenter, senior math major and member of the red team. To keep the energy alive the Dance Marathon leaders play music trivia with the participants and give out door prizes donated by local businesses. Each time any fun song, like “Burning Up” by the Jonas Brothers or “Summer Girl” by LFO, comes on each team starts to dance. They are even energetic at 5 p.m. “It’s great that different groups on campus can get together for a common cause,” said Michele McGuire, sophomore pre-mass communication major and blue team member.
Senior art majors and faculty in the Department of Art are preparing for the upcoming senior art shows. The senior art shows will take place from April 18 to 29, and will be showcased in Blackbridge Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, ArtFix Gallery and locations in downtown Milledgeville.
“I am really excited to see it all come together, but I am also nervous because the show is coming up really soon.” Melissa Robbins, Senior Art Major
Bill Fisher, chair of the Department of Art, explains that the senior art exhibitions are the outcome of a capstone process that begins the first semester of senior year. “Really, the first three years is preparation for the capstone, and the process begins the first semester of a students’ senior year,” Fisher said. Corey Cross, a senior art major concentrating in photography and digital media, is narrowing down images to prepare for his senior show. “I’ve been narrowing down my images, and putting them in black and white,” Cross said. “I’m blowing up my photos to be very large, making practice prints and choosing my favorites.” Cross is not too worried about funds for his project. “The school has the materials and the computer software I
Senior Capstones page 16
14
S
THE COLONNADE
potlight:
cal church. Make your time ful for yourself and others.
meaning-
Spring Break Plans
S
tuck at home over Spring Break? While your friends and roommates are lounging by the lake or chilling on a cruise, here are some tips to have an eventful and fulfilling break and avoidbeing a couch potato all week long.
Make a bucket list What have you always wanted to do? What are your dreams and goals? Write them out and stick to them (and spend the rest of your time crossing things off your list). Attempt a Guiness World Record Want to make the world’s biggest pancake or stay on a pogo stick for the longest time? Check out www.guinessworldrecords.com and sign up. Bond with your family Get to know the people who love you the most. Ask your parents how they met or help your little sister pick out her prom dress. Time off is great for relationship-building! Finish up schoolwork We all have those final papers looming over our heads (and in our planners). Get a head start on research and make your final weeks a little easier. You’ll thank yourself later. Plan a personal roadtrip If you’ll be in Milledgeville, use HertzConnect to drive to Savannah and get
MARCH 11, 2011
Prize-winning play script debuts on stage
to know yourself a little better. The beach is only a few hours away! Apply for Summer jobs Do you know what you’ll be doing this summer? Spring Break is a great time to sit down and apply for jobs at camps, in retail or even internships. Perfect your résumé and send out hopeful emails! Make a budget Plan out your money situation for the summer, next semester or even next year. Use www.mint.com to get started and find out where and when you are spending your money most often. Write letters The art of letter-writing has been lost due to e-mail and texting, but take some time to pen out how you feel about your best friend or significant other. Everyone loves receiving some good, old-fashioned snail mail. Pick up a new hobby Always wanted to play piano or get into golf? Now is the perfect time to test out your skills and get on your way to becoming the next Mozart or Tiger Woods. Volunteer Spend time helping the needy in your community. Spend time serving at a soup kitchen or helping out your lo-
By: Amanda Boddy
SUBMITTED BY JIMMY HOLDER Junior theatre major Matt Riley as Stephen and senior theatre major Stacey Silverman as Annie in Margaret McClosky’s Arts & Letters prize-winning play “Old Head.” Stephen is shown asking Annie to not take him to a mental hospital. The play ran March 4 and 5 in the Max Noah Recital Hall.
JESSICA RAMIREZ STAFF WRITER After winning the Arts & Letters prize for her play “Old Head,” Margaret McClosky saw her work come to fruit on March 4 and 5, in the Max Noah Recital Hall. English professor, David Muschell opened up the evening by presenting the $1,000 prize to McCloskey for her accomplishment in winning the award. McCloskey lives in Brooklyn and she holds a Master’s of Fine Arts from the New School for Drama. McCloskey wrote “Old Head” in 2007 as her graduate thesis project. Old Head is a town in Ireland invented by the playwright. McCloskey is Irish and she studied in Dublin and there was a golf court which served as an inspiration. “There is a golf court which
I loved and it’s so beautiful and I invented a town to go with this beautiful place,” McCloskey said. The play is the story about a woman named Annie, portrayed by senior theatre major Stacey Silverman, who is struggling with her relationship with her husband Stephen, protrayed by junior theatre major Matt Riley. Stephen suffers from an illness and the couple is in Ireland for a trip. Annie goes to the library and meets Ned, played by middle grades education major Mac Hulbert, who is an Irish librarian who seems to be very interested in Annie, but she is married. However, Annie lies about her being married. It is not until later that Ned finds out. This triangle creates a drama that the audience lives with every scene. The brief plot explained above is just one part of the deeper meaning of the
play. Relationships, human needs and wants make up the drama which started as a script and then became a play and eventually winning the Arts & Letters prize. McCloskey was very pleased with the way the actors gave life to the characters in her play. “I think you both (Silverman and Hulbert) did a really great job of really portraying true emotions,” McCloskey said. Theatre professor Iona Pendergast directed the play. This is not the first time she directs the play for the Arts & Letters winner. According to the program, this play “is one of her favorite projects because it is a collaborative effort between the Department of Theatre and the Creative Writing programs.”
Old Head page 16
Movie Review: ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ RYAN DEL CAMPO REVIEWER Few movies can achieve the feat of both challenging the mind and appealing to a mass audience at the same time. “Inception” set the standard for cognitive thrillers by delivering in both categories in 2010, and this week’s release of “The Adjustment Bureau” didn’t let the genre down in 2011. George Nolfi’s directorial debut not only rides on the coattails that “Inception” left behind, but also thoroughly challenges the mind in a unique and captivating way. “The Adjustment Bureau” did not manage to surpass “Rango” in the box office on its opening weekend, and in fact made significantly less than the animated movie featuring Johnny Depp. I suppose the mysterious coolness that Depp still exudes at the age of 48 has a stronger appeal than the ever-boyish charm of Matt Damon. Both Damon and his co-star Emily Blunt deliver powerful performances in “The Adjustment Bureau.” Their mature quips, modern romance and acting prowess help to keep the movie flowing lightly through all of the heavy concepts. The trailers for “The Adjustment Bureau” do not nearly breach the surface of the movie’s intrigue, but do adequately sum up the basic plot. Congressman David Norris (Damon) falls in love with a beautiful and alluring woman, Elise (Blunt), after an unsuccessful bid for the Senate. But a team of mysterious well-dressed men known as The Adjustment Bureau does everything in its power to stop Norris from seeing Elise in order to adhere to a predetermined plan. The intrigue of “The Adjustment Bureau” comes from its masterful use of suspense and its ability to leave the big questions for the audience to ask itself. The real centerpiece of the film, the concept of theistic predetermination, is left up to the audience to consider. “Humanity just isn’t mature enough to handle the big decisions.” That line, said by one of the agents of The Adjustment Bureau in the film, struck a chord with me. I found it as a piece of compelling evidence in the argument for the existence of God. Without a deity’s guiding hand, could humanity thrive as we have for as long as we have? “Free will is a gift that you just won’t know how to use unless you fight for it.” The film further suggests that humanity can fight to escape its predetermined fate. This controversial idea provides counter-evidence for humanity’s self-preservation without a god. Although the movie does not blatantly pronounce these ideas, letting the audience
SOURCE: UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Grade: A-
interpret it instead. One of the other most powerful aspects of “The Adjustment Bureau’s” intrigue is its ability to cross and blur the lines of conventional cinematic genres. Of course, it is a sort of psychological thriller, but focuses more on a societal perspective than more introspective movies, such as “Black Swan” or “The Machinist.” The trailers for “The Adjustment Bureau” make the movie seem like a pure action movie, tantamount to a Jason Bourne or James Bond mystery. This certainly does hold true for the action junkies, but the romantics in the crowd will also be drawn to the complex relationship that blooms between David and Elise. Children will certainly not understand the complex ideas behind the plot, but I would think that most other audiences would enjoy “The Adjustment Bureau.” The highest grade I have ever given out in my tenure of reviewing movies was an A- for the most recent installment of “Wall Street,” and that was given grudgingly. However, I fully believe that “The Adjustment Bureau” truly deserves its grade. It is a nearly-perfect movie, and only falters when pitted up against a movie like “Inception.” I would recommend for everyone to go see it, if not in theaters than when it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Or don’t – you do have the right of free will.
March 11, 2011
The Colonnade
Jazz Band celebrates the evolution of their genre
The Georgia College Jazz Band played its Spring 2011 Concert on March 3 and 4 in Russell Auditorium. The concert, titled Evolution of the Jazz Band, provided attendees with a broad sampling of music from different jazz greats including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The performances spanned the history of the jazz big band, from its beginnings in early 1900s New Orleans, all the way down to
the 1970s. Jazz Band Director Chris Probst said that the idea for the theme came from two sources. “The first place was, we were looking back at different tunes, and I was trying to think of a concert for this semester. I had all these tunes in mind that I wanted to do, but I really couldn’t think of a way to put them together. And then I realized that if I put them in chronological order, they fit chronologically, and I filled in the gaps, really, and did it that way,” Probst said. “The other reason is I’m teaching a
Jazz History class this semester. So, I thought it would be a nice way to kind of join the two together. And not only for the band, they get a chance to learn a little bit about how the actual ensemble developed.” When asked about his opinion on the band’s performance, Probst said, “They did a great job, considering how much ground we covered. We did, what, 50 years of music in 13 tunes? And that was all new to them in January. It’s a lot of stuff to learn in a short amount of time, and they did a really good job.”
Local band hosts CD release party Kevin Hall Staff Writer
Probst urged students to attend Department of Music performances. “Anytime they see anything that’s posted for the Music Department and especially the Jazz Band, they should definitely come out,” Probst said. “It’s not a typical boring night out at the concerts.” Bob Wilson, history professor and habitual Jazz Band emcee, praised the band’s performance. “They started learning this
Local band Groove Moose (Spectacular) gave downtown Milledgeville a taste of their live sound at their CD release party March 7. The show was held at the Velvet Elvis, where the band has spent many of their Monday nights. “We’ve always loved hanging out at Velvet for wing nights...we were hoping to give them a boost,” said senior mass communication major guitarist and vocalist Bob Titolo. “We also wanted to try and bring music back to the downtown scene.” This was the first time the group has performed in Milledgeville besides playing an acoustic night at Blackbird Coffee. The show was put on to release their first album to the public as well as preview their second. “We are really proud of the second album,” said senior management major bassist and vocal“We are really proud of ist Zack Johnson. “We just spent a lot the second album, we more time writing just spent a lot more this album so we strongly about time writing this album feel how good it is.” so we feel strongly They didn’t let some minor setabout how good it is.” backs keep the show from going on. Whether it was having to replace Zack Johnson, a cymbal on the set before the Bassist and Vocalist for drum show even started Groove Moose or having to deal a bothersome (Spectacular) and Senior with heckler, they kept Management Major right on moving with the music. “That guy was just some fratty idiot, so he really didn’t bother us,” Titolo said. The guys never seem to let anything bother them either when it comes to making music. “We really just try to goof off a lot and try not to take everything to seriously,” Johnson said. This goofiness of the band is evident in the video they posted on YouTube. “If you just search the band’s name in YouTube, the video is just us walking around campus trying to promote ourselves, and no one has ever heard of us,” Titolo said. People have heard of them though, and some of their more dedicated fans had a blast at their first Milledgeville
Jazz Band page 16
CD Release page 16
Manoj Kuninti / Staff Photographer Left: Jenna Lyn Watkins accompanies the band as a solo singer. Right: Jazz Band Director Chris Probst leads the Georgia College band in their performance. The theme of the concert was Evolution of the Jazz Band and focused on the changes in jazz music from the early 1900s to the 1970s. “They did a great job, considering how much ground we covered. We did, what, 50 years of music in 13 tunes?” Probst said.
Matthew Kuhl Staff Writer
15
16
THE COLONNADE
CD Release
Continued from page 15... show. “I was taken with their intricate flow of groove and rhythm. They were just great,” said junior theatre major Jess McClure. The band is not done performing here in Milledgeville. They played another gig later in the week on March 11 at Buffington’s Bar and Grill. While the band loves playing to the local fans they have one show coming up that
Drag Show
Continued from page 13... part. I get to pull on my experience and experiment with movement. This year I worked on three dances in the show,” Snyder said. Many of the participants of the drag show are also part of the Pride Alliance. They follow the group mission ---“to promote a safe place to GLBTQIA students and Allies alike to openly discuss issues that affect
they are anticipating greatly. “We are playing at the Allgreen Music Festival in April, and that is a huge deal for us,” Titolo said. “There are going to be a lot of big bands there, and it’s just awesome that we get to share the stage with them.” The guys aren’t done after that, not even close. “After the festival we start a tour of the entire east coast,” Titolo said. They will be going through Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and Maryland just to name a few to try and spread their sound throughout the country.
“To see the energy…seeing the audience get excited about it and absolutely love it when it’s put together, it’s amazing.” Jonathan Vernon, President of the Pride Alliance and Senior Management Information Systems Major them both in general and specifically on …campus.” Having a place to discuss issues without criticism and judgment is both comforting important and comforting. “I have loved watching
Old Head
Continued from page 14... Silverman had to play with different emotions throughout the scenes. She described it as “having to put all that in a big sandwich and carry it around.” It was very interesting for her “to find the different levels.” Riley played the hardest role in the play ,according to the Coordinator of Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program Martin Lammon, who was seated with the audience. In the discussion after the play, Hulbert confessed being very identified with his character. “I am also very Irish character-wise,” he said. The play lasted about 40 minutes and there was a discussion between the actors, the director and the playwright following. The audience got the opportunity to ask questions to all of them. When asked what is going to happen to Steven and Ned after the play, McCloskey answered that she doesn’t know and that she hopes the audience wonders that af-
the community become more supportive…[the show] has helped debunk stereotypes. We’re people just playing around,” senior double psychology and criminal justice major Amber Weeks said.
“Because it was a short play, they had to kind of implicitly show a lot of things underlined. You have to really think about it to understand it in its entirety.” Max Mager, Freshman Philosophy Major ter walking out of the play. “I think there is not an answer to that. As a playwright I question whether that’s a positive thing about the play or not,” McCloskey said. Freshman philosophy major Max Mager attended the play on Friday night. “Because it was a short play, they had to kind of implicitly show a lot of things underlined,” Mager said. “You have to really think about it to understand it in its entirety.” Mager liked the fact that the play had an open ending and no conclusion; this made the play very interesting.
MARCH 11, 2011
Senior Capstones
Continued from page 13... need,” Cross said. Brittany Durkee, a senior art major also concentrating in photography and digital media, is taking 35 mm photos and developing, scanning, and editing on Photoshop to prepare for her senior exhibition. “It is a four to five step process just to get one photo finished, so it is taking me some time,” Durkee said. Durkee is also not worried about the cost of her exhibition. “The school has the materials, and the only thing I have had to buy is the paper, which is only about 60 dollars,” Durkee said. “I was more concerned about the cost of framing, but my dad has a friend with a frame shop.” Durkee plans on framing and matting her photos with the help of her father’s friend, who is offering her assistance with no charge. Cross and Durkee are presenting their work together along with another photography student, Alison Kuhlke. Their senior advisor and mentor is Emily Gomez, Associate Professor of Art and Photography. Their exhibit will take place at Fields Photography and Framing located in downtown Milledgeville. Gomez’s group does not yet have a set date or title for their show. They will soon be printing exhibit show cards, displaying the title and date of their show.
Jazz Band
Continued from page 15... in January, and there were a few setbacks, but they got beyond that, and gave this wonderful performance tonight,” Wilson said. Wilson provided his usual commentary to the band’s performance, cracking jokes and giving the audience members
TAYLOR SEAY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Melissa Robbins, a senior fine arts major, prepares for her senior show. Robbins’ show is titled Fleeting Movement, and will take place in Blackbridge Hall starting April 18. Robbins, a photography concentration uses the computer to edit her photographs before printing them.
Melissa Robbins, a senior fine arts major concentrating in photography, is still shooting and printing photos for her upcoming show. “I’m doing a series of pictures for my show, so I have been doing a lot of tedious measuring, which has taken up a lot of time,” Robbins said. “I am really excited to see it all come together, but I am also nervous because the show is coming up really soon.” Robbins says her show has cost her more than she wanted, but she thinks it will pay off in the end. “The school does have the computer programs and printers, but I have had to buy my own paper and frames,” Robbins said, “Photography is not a cheap process.”
Robbins’ show is titled “Fleeting Movement,” and will take be on exhibit April 18 to 22 in Blackbridge Hall Art Gallery. Robbins is not worried about the amount of space, and she does not have to share space with any other art students. “I have a lot of space, I’m more worried about filling up the entire room,” Robbins said. The Department of Art is excited to see the exhibitions come together. Fisher said that there is no concern with space this year, but that the Department of Art is always looking for space for shows such as the senior exhibitions whether it is around campus or in the community.
added insight into the songs on the program. During the performance, Probst and Wilson both highlighted upcoming events for the band, including the Department of Music’s Spring Concert, where the Jazz Band will perform alongside other groups from the Department of Music. The Spring Concert will take place on April 14, in Russell Auditorium. Additionally, the band will continue its tradition of performing in the
Czech Republic this summer. Brent Tripp, a sophomore philosophy major, who was attending his first Jazz Band concert at Georgia College, said that he would definitely be coming back. “It was too good, too good for my own health,” he said. Tripp particularly praised Jenna Watkins’ performance of “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me”. “It was very well done,” Tripp said.
Leisure
March 11, 2011 • Editor, Danielle Paluga
Crossword
Sudoku
Astrological Forecast DANIELLE PALUGA STAFF PSYCHIC Aquarius (January 21- February 18)- This week is the time where you will get your 15 minutes of fame. Make sure it’s not for being the next Kim Kardashian. Having a bad single is as bad as a sex tape. Pisces (February 19- March 20)- Take a break from school and travel to Europe. Good luck explaining that to your teachers. Aries (March 20- April 19)- The orbits of Mars and Mercury will cross to bring you inspiration to be the best eater you can be. Hey, it’s a talent to some people. Taurus (April 20- May 20)- Go outside this week and soak up some sun. My crystal ball wants to remind you to wear sunscreen or there will be a sunburn in your future. Gemini (May 21- June 20)- You will date Nick Levan from “Skins.” That’s the best future ever.
Radiohead reigns
Cancer (June 21- July 21)- Pursue your dreams this week. The only person standing in your way is you. We all know how that turned out for Natalie Portman in the “Black Swan.”
‘The King of Limbs’ sits on throne above other 2011 albums
Virgo (August 23- September 22)- When you have a problem think “what would my momma do?” At the same time be grateful that Dina Lohan isn’t your mother.
CAITLIN RENN REVIEWER Raidiohead’s eighth album “The King of Limbs” hit the web as a downloadable release a day earlier than expected on Feb. 18. The band’s shortest album, eight tracks spanning 37 minutes, “The King of Limbs” makes good use of every second. Understated but compelling, creative and intricate, the album as a whole deserves a few solid rotations before making any judgements. The layers of airy vocals, curtains of electronic loops, a range of heavy to muted beats and a beautiful string arrangement make the album’s tracks dynamic individually and at the same time coherent as a whole. The first track, “Bloom,” opens the album with omniscient sounding electronic loops feeding into airy vocals backed by a quick but quiet snare drum. The combination creates a glis-
tening atmosphere like a warm welcome. “Morning Mr. Magpie” jumps in with energy, a heavier beat and a quicker pace. A steady pulse moves “Little by Little,” winding through a quick beat and looped melody. The word abstract best describes “Feral,” the fourth song on the album. Radiohead experiments with ideas from other genres on this track. The unexpected dubstep influences are an example of this genre mixing. The heavy use of synth on the track “Lotus Flower” builds a nice layer behind the popping beat and spacey vocal effects as Thom Yorke plays around in his voice’s highest register. “Codex” feels like the most monumental track on the record. It features Yorke and his piano accompanied by a mellow, muted beat and some amazing string arrangements performed by The London Telefilmonic Orchestra. This song recalls Radiohead’s ballads that fans are so used to without sounding
like something we’ve heard before. The song ends with a chorus of birds merging into the next track, “Give Up the Ghost.” A haunting vocal loop floats over this acoustic track with an occasional percussive tap and simple strumming on the guitar. The closing track to finish out the album, “Separator” opens with a funkier beat and a repetitive piano note, meeting with bright, emotive vocals and a smooth bass background. A floating, drifting kind of sound, the song ends with Yorke’s repetition of the line “wake me up, wake me up.” It leaves on an airy, open, sort of ghostly sound that seems to dissolve as the album ends. “The King of Limbs” proves that Radiohead can shift sounds, from older albums with gritty, growling attitude to massive ballads to the humming, swirling feeling on their newest release. This atmospheric, understated album doesn’t ask for much attention, but it certainly deserves it.
Leo (July 22- August 22)- In my tarot cards I see happiness in your future. Oh wait, they were upside down. That’s sad.
Libra (September 23- October 22)- Stop being that girl who needs a man; be the girl a man needs. (Replace the words to fit your gender or sexual orientation) Scorpio (October 23- November 21)- People are in trouble all over the world so do something about it. Start with being nice to the person next to you. Sagittarius (November 22- December 21- Make it your goal this week to read books more and watch “Glee” less. Capricorn (December 22- January 20)- Don’t let the turkeys get you down and there are a lot of them out there.
‘Love and Other Drugs:’ Don’t buy it for the extras
Past Issue’s Solutions
SOURCE: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
TAYLOR SEAY REVIEWER “Love & Other Drugs,” staring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal, got mixed reviews from movie critics. However, I’m not going to criticize this romantic comedy, I’m here to talk about the special features of this DVD. Well, there aren’t many that come with the DVD. Of course there is the Scene Selection section, and the Set-Up section where one can choose audio options, such as subtitles in Spanish or French. You are
also able to watch this DVD in Spanish or French with no subtitles. The most disappointing factor of the DVD was the Extras section. I thought I was going to find deleted scenes, some commentary or even some behind-the-scenes action with close-ups of Gyllenhaal’s hot body, but the only thing features under the Extras section were measly previews of upcoming movies. I don’t see the point of going out to buy or rent this DVD. You may as well download it on iTunes or watch it on Netflix.
Sports
March 11, 2011 • Editor, Scotty Thompson
Bobcats win Peach Belt! Ru le
Breaking The
Women’s hoops upsets No.4 Lander, tops USC Aiken to take conference title Scotty Thompson Senior Reporter
(24 in the second half) and 15 boards to record her fifth double-double of the season. Fellow All Conference first teamer Huffin was equally All season long, the Georgia College wom- impressive, scoring 19 points. Down 31-23 at the half, the Bobcats were on en’s basketball team’s goal was to win the Peach fire in the second half, taking a 44-43 lead with Belt Conference tournament. Last weekend in Aiken, S.C., they made that 14:27 to play after sophomore guard Karisma Boykin had a goal a reality, first upsetting No. layup. The 4 Lander on March 5 in the PBC Bearcats resemifinals, 71-62, and then dis- “It’s a dream come true, gained the mantling USC Aiken in the cham- no doubt; just to see all lead at 47-45, pionship game, 62-49 on March 6. but Huffin put The Bobcats garnered the No. 4 the sacrifice, the work Georgia College seed in the NCAA Southeast Re- and the team camaraderie back on top, 48gionals and will play in the first 47 after hitting round of the national tournament come together at the right a three-pointer against Conference Carolinas time...” with 11:29 to Champion and No. 5 seed, Barton play. Lander College on March 11 at 8 p.m. would tie the The regional will be hosted by Maurice Smith, game one more No. 1 seed and No. 1 ranked ClayHead Coach time before ton State. Jordan’s three“I don’t want to say it’s an pointer put the unbelievable feeling because we preached all year that we could do it,” said first Bobcats ahead for good, 53-50 with 8:23 left. year Head Coach Maurice Smith. “It’s a dream The Bearcats continued to pull close, but a 9-2 come true, no doubt; just to see all the sacrifice, run over the final 3:53 gave the Bobcats the the work and the team camaraderie come to- win. In the championship game, the Bobcats gether at the right time. We are playing our best topped USC Aiken, who upset previously unbasketball right now, and it’s a blessing.” “It’s every feeling I thought it would be,” beaten Clayton State in the semifinals, for the said senior guard Dominique Huffin. “We came second time out of three games this season. Jorinto the tournament with confidence; we knew dan, the tournament MVP, made it six doublewe weren’t the same team from earlier in the doubles on the year with 26 points and 10 reyear and that we’ve improved. We’ve got better bounds, while freshman forward Krysta Lewis chemistry, and we believe in ourselves and in added in 11 points in just 21 minutes on the floor. our abilities.” Georgia College quickly jumped out to an Against Lander, senior guard and first-team All Conference player Chimere Jordan was nothing short of dominant, pouring in 28 points Championship page 22
Caleb Rule Sports Columnist
File Photo by Drake Simons/Senior Photographer on March 4. Senior guard Chimere Jordan was named the Peach Belt Conference Tournament MVP. She was also named first team All-Conference.
Bobcats rely on defense, senior leadership as they prepare for NCAA tournament Scotty Thompson Senior Reporter The dry erase board in Georgia College Head Coach Maurice Smith’s office has a quote from an old college friend of his. “Champions. That’s what we are. But the task is not over. Breathe, rejuvenate, refocus,” the board reads. The Bobcats won the Peach Belt Conference last weekend, but now they are setting their sights higher as they prepare for their NCAA Southeast Regionals matchup against Barton College on March 8. The winner advances to play on March 12 against the winner of the Clayton State-Francis Marion game. It’s no secret Georgia College is playing its best basketball of the year right now, and there are a couple of key factors that have contributed to that: better defense and more balance on the offensive end. “The biggest thing has been defense, no doubt,” Smith said. “The fundamental aspects: pressuring the other team, making sure we are helping our teammates out, communicating, really just buckling down. Offensively, we came along. We had more balance
scoring. We had players step up, especially our young players like (freshmen forwards) Abby Slocumb and Krysta Lewis. (Senior guard) Jessica Baker came off the bench and played well for us. (Junior forward) Tammeisha Law stepped up and hit some big shots. And (sophomore) Karisma Boykin from the point guard position played more confidently and distributed the ball more. So it all came together.” The contributions from the bench have grown steadily throughout the season for the Bobcats. “All year long, it’s been about total team effort,” Smith said. “Getting other people to step up and play big for us, so it’s definitely a vital part of our success, probably the single biggest thing.” The strong performances in the conference tournament from senior guards Chimere Jordan and Dominique Huffin were a further affirmation of what Smith calls excellent senior leadership. “It’s at an all-time high. At the beginning of the year it was a process,” Smith said. “Trying to get it to where we wanted it, but now it’s very good. They lead by example and set the tone with their en-
File Photo by Kaleigh Shamp/Staff Photographer on Feb. 25 In his first season as Head Coach of the Bobcats, Maurice Smith has guided his team to a 22-6 record and a Peach Belt Conference championship. The Bobcats play Barton College on March 11 at 8 p.m.
ergy and enthusiasm.” Despite winning the tournament, the Bobcats didn’t budge from their No. 4 ranking in the region. “I thought we would probably move up at least one to get
March 14
Georgia College vs. Barton Quick Facts
March 12
the committee was at a standstill. It was real close voting. We’re happy we’re in, and we are going to try to take advan
Tournament page 22 March 11 1. Clayton St. (29-1) 8. Francis Marion (18-9)
Barton Bulldogs: 25-4 - Conference Carolinas Champions Head Coach: Wendee Saintsing (22nd season) Overview: The Bulldogs are making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2006-07, and are powered by a highly explosive offense that averages around 80 points a game.
4. Georgia College (22-6) 5. Barton (25-4)
SOUTHEAST
3. S.C. Aiken (26-5)
2. Lander (27-3)
NCAA Division II Elite Eight: March 22, 23 and 25 St. Joseph, MO.
Upcoming Home Games Softball:
Morrow, Ga.
6. Tusculum (21-8)
Georgia College Bobcats: 22-6 - Peach Belt Champions Head Coach: Maurice Smith (1st season) Overview: The Bobcats are also making their first NCAA tournament appearance in four years. The Bobcats’
The Short Stop
a higher seed, but after looking in between the lines and reading the numbers, it was hard to knock Aiken down,” Smith said. “They beat Lander in the regular season and beat Clayton and us. So I can see where
March 11 March 13
3 p.m. (DH) Wingate Noon (DH) Carson-New.
March 18
5 p.m.
Columbus St.
March 20
Noon
Montevallo
Baseball:
Women’s Tennis:
7. Wingate (19-10)
Quote of the Week “That was the worst thing I have ever seen on the field. He wasn’t awake at all. He was out of it. I just looked at him to see if he was breathing. I thought his life might be in danger.” —Atlanta Braves’ Chipper Jones about minor league manager Luis Salazar being struck in the face by a foul liner while in the dugout during an exhibition game and airlifted to the hospital. (ESPN)
The weather is bipolar. The grass is turning green and spring training is winding down around the big leagues. Baseball season’s coming! We’ve already seen drama: St. Louis All-Star starting pitcher Adam Wainwright is lost to season-ending elbow surgery. Questions abound for the Phillies and their slumping lineup. The Red Sox seem primed to surpass the Yankees this year, and C.C. Sabathia hasn’t exactly looked good this spring. So with all of the craziness surrounding the start of the baseball season, here’s my firsthand picks of the year. Hey, this is a column; I get to be wrong occasionally, right? In the American League, the best looking teams go in this order: Boston, Texas, New York, and everyone else. The Red Sox loaded up this offseason, upgrading their offense and defense with the addition of 1B Adrian Gonzalez. If their bullpen can get their act together (not a 4.24 ERA), then this team has few weaknesses. The Rangers have most of their power back in the lineup, and the rotation remains intact from a surprising 2010. Two questions worry me: Will the Angels stay healthy and have their pitching throw like it did in ‘09, and can Texas provide the offense needed if/when the pitching doesn’t come through? I have the Yankees in because they’re the freaking Yankees and can buy whatever’s needed. Well that and Tampa Bay’s starting pitching looks awfully thin after David Price. Then, there’s the Central Division, which confuses the heck out of me. Chicago’s pitching scares me from being confident, but Minnesota only has three offensive players worth considering (Morneau, Mauer, and Span) and Detroit hasn’t figured out when they’ll play consistently. Oh heck, I’ll go Chicago. More Ozzie Guillen interviews if they win. For the National League, it’s San Francisco, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Atlanta making the playoffs. The Giants return practically everyone from their championship squad minus Fred Lewis in the outfield and Edgar Renteria at short. The entire starting rotation returns, so pardon me if I’m a little terrified. Cincy? The rotation’s maturing. The offensive powerhouse is still there, and the bullpen has more experience. If the youth movement in the outfield can produce some consistent power, there’s no reason to see why the Reds can’t win the Central, especially with the Cardinals hurting and the Cubs fighting Jersey Shore-esque drama. Then there’s Atlanta and Philly. Hey, if the Braves stay healthy and Freddie Freeman hits better than .270 for the year, they can take the division. Jayson Stark just wrote a lengthy article on espn.com why the Phillies’ lineup isn’t scary anymore; they aren’t invincible.
Notable Stat
738
Runs scored by the Atlanta Braves offense during 2010 season. This ranked the Braves 13th in MLB in runs overall during the 2010 season.
20
THE COLONNADE
MARCH 11, 2011
Baseball sweeps North Georgia, falls to ODU No. 1 Bobcats open Peach Belt schedule with three key wins over Saints, 14-game win streak snapped in loss to Panthers SCOTTY THOMPSON SENIOR REPORTER
VICTORIA GAROFALO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore righthander Michael Jeanes delivers a pitch in the Bobcats 11-3 loss to Ohio Dominican on March 8.
The No.1 ranked Georgia College baseball team saw its 14-game winning streak come to an end against Ohio Dominican University on March 8, but not before sweeping a crucial road series over the previous two days against North Georgia College & State University to open up its 2011 conference schedule. The Bobcats picked up the first win on March 6, 4-2. Senior lefty Jason Nicholas picked up the win on the mound, allowing two runs over five innings, while redshirt senior righthander Ryan Parson threw three scoreless innings, and fellow redshirt senior righty Tanner Moore closed out the ninth for his team-high fifth save of the season. After a scoreless opening three innings, Georgia College jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the
fourth. Redshirt junior first baseman Benton Yaun’s RBI single scored senior catcher Richard Pirkle to open the scoring. Redshirt junior third baseman Travis Echols followed with an RBI single of his own, and freshman second baseman Matthew Robinson’s double plated Yaun. North Georgia cut the lead to 3-2 in their half of the fifth, but the Bobcats added an insurance run in the eighth when sophomore designated hitter Ikaika Anderson walked with two outs, and later scored on a throwing error. Georgia College picked up two more victories, sweeping a doubleheader against the Saints on March 7. The first game was back and forth, but Robinson was the hero of the day, belting his first career home run in the ninth to give the Bobcats a 7-6 win. Robinson got the start in place of junior regular Luke McKay, who was out due to illness.
“It’s great for the team to get those kinds of contributions off the bench and from the younger guys,” Head Coach Tom Carty said. The Bobcats had to rally in the second game but came out on top, 11-6 to complete the sweep. Down 5-4 in the fifth, Pirkle led off with a walk and later stole second and scored on an RBI double by Echols. Robinson immediately followed that with a double to make it a 6-5 game. Georgia College went up 7-5 in the sixth when senior rightfielder Shawn Ward’s single scored Yaun. Redshirt junior righthander Chris George pitched 6.1 innings in relief and allowed only one run, picking up the win and improving to 2-0 on the year. “We did some good things in the series,” Carty said. “It wasn’t perfect, but the guys were able to do enough to win the ballgames. It’s always im-
portant to win series in your conference.” With their pitching resources nearly exhausted from the North Georgia series, the Bobcats were a bit shorthanded in their 11-3 loss to Ohio Dominican on March 8. Georgia College jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, when junior centerfielder Patrick Daugherty led off with a double and later scored on a triple over the centerfielder’s head by Ward. The Panthers, however, put a four-spot on the board in the top of the second and never looked back. “We ran into a team that plays good baseball and they just outpitched us,” Carty said. “We seemed to lack energy throughout the game, but we talked to the guys about it, and hopefully, the best thing we can do is learn from it.” Georgia College (17-3, 3-0 PBC) returns to action this weekend at Augusta State.
Despite tough weekend, fishing team ranked seventh BRINA POTVIN STAFF WRITER Last weekend, the Georgia College bass fishing team, which is ranked No.7 in the country out of 300 schools, sent four boats with eight of their top anglers out to two different tournaments. The tournaments were held on both Lake Guntersville in Alabama and Lake West Point in LaGrange, Ga. Before the weekend tournament began, expectations were high. Team president and senior management major Walker Smith said that the team expects to win every tournament they participate in, especially since they have some of the top-rated collegiate fishermen in the country representing
Georgia College. Team member and sophomore pre-engineering major Grant Kelley agreed with Smith in his prediction that they could do well and win the tournament. “There’s no reason, in my opinion, to fish (in a tournament) if you’re not planning to win it,” Kelly said. The Faculty Advisor of the team Allen Gee knew it would require a lot to win in Guntersville as the competition would be tough and waters were warming in the South, but he still expected the team to place at least top 10 in each tournament. However, these high expectations the team had for themselves fell short due to the bad weather and other complications of unfamiliarity.
“The Guntersville tournament was very tough,” Smith said. “We had a terrible weather system move in the night before tournament day, and all of the wind made a lot of the openwater spots we found in practice obsolete.” As for the Georgia Southern Tournament trail on Lake West Point, team members Jared Hendrix, sophomore environmental science major, and Jonathan Rotureau, a junior environmental science major, finished in fifth place and the team of brothers, sophomore pre-engineering major Mitchell and junior pre-engineering najor Mathew Dockery finished close behind in sixth place. Despite the weekend’s disappointments, Smith and the team members
are appreciative to even compete at the high level that they are and at the prestigious locations the tournaments are held this year. “Guntersville is one of the most well renowned big fish lakes in the country,” Smith said. “It’s just a privilege to get to go there and compete.” “Every lake fishes differently, some have a lot of grass and others have barely anything in it like Lake Sinclair, but Guntersville is definitely known for having big fish,” Kelley said. The members of the fishing team took their weekend loss with a grain of salt and plan to work towards their future wins and successes. “Fishing is the sport that will always keep you humble. Bad days
happen, and you can’t win them all, and you shouldn’t expect to,” Smith said. “(We’ve) just got to focus on winning our next tournament.” However, the team is hopeful for their future competitions such as the national tournament they have qualified for again this year, which will be held in Texas in May of this year. “So far, we have budgeted to send two boats and four anglers. We may even cut another smaller tournament that is less important to send another boat with them,” Smith said. The team also has a two day qualifier coming up on March 12 and 13 on Lake Sinclair. The plan is to launch out of Little River Park with weigh-in at 3 p.m. on both days. The public is welcome to join and watch the event.
21
Thunder Crew aims to win NCAA spirit award CALEB RULE STAFF REPORTER The stigma of beating rival Augusta State refuses to leave Georgia College, and the Thunder Crew continues to rake in the benefits. In a recent announcement, the Thunder Crew learned its efforts for the Battle of the ‘Cats event versus then-No. 7 ASU earned them a nomination for the 2012 NCAA Division II Game Environment Award of Excellence. The award and accompanying $500 grant for future events is given to one team from each conference. From those winners, an overall winner is selected by the NCAA. The award is given each January. Athletic Director Wendall Staton sent the nomination forms in last week, giving notice to Thunder Crew President Pat Gamble. “It felt good to get nominated, because it shows how much students can impact this university,” Gamble said. “I know the Thunder Crew’s been working hard, and it proves we can become the nationallyrecognized student section we want to be.” Now, the Thunder Crew will send a portfolio chronicling all of the promotional activity that went into making the event such a success. “They went out and got a sponsorship, they got the word out on campus, they have giveaways and a tailgate,” Staton said. “I was looking at our average basketball attendance, and
FILE PHOTO BY KENDYL WADE/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER ON FEB. 18 Members of the Thunder Crew celebrate during the Georgia College men’s basketball upset win over Augusta State on Feb. 10.
it’s up 40 percent to over 1100 people. The Thunder Crew’s had a lot to do with that, so this is a way the (Department of Athletics) can recognize them for all they’ve done.” Augusta State won the Peach Belt Conference’s award last year for their Military Appreciation Day. During a nationally-televised broadcast, the Jaguars hosted over 800 military servicemen and gave out camouflage shirts to the rest of the 1,800-plus people on hand for their homecoming game. Georgia College turned out in full force for the visiting Jags, as a crowd of 1,853 cheered the men on to the 73-
69 victory at the Centennial Center. Augusta State wants to continue the energy in the rivalry. Staton said he’s heard they want to keep the name Battle of the ‘Cats for each Augusta State-Georgia College basketball game. However, due to a scheduling quirk, the Jaguars will visit the Centennial Center again next year, giving Bobcat fans another battle to look forward to next season. “We want people to look at what we’ve done and say ‘Hey, they’re doing something right down there’ and want to learn from our efforts,” Staton said.
Tennis rolls past Concord, nipped by Francis Marion SCOTTY THOMPSON SENIOR REPORTER If one word could be used to describe the Georgia College tennis teams’ performance against Concord University on March 8, it would probably be dominant. Both the men’s and women’s squads flew past the Mountain Lions 9-0, after both dropped conference matches to Francis Marion on March 4. “I thought the guys and ladies played pretty well,” Head Coach Steve Barsby said. “That was their first match of the season, so they were still a little rusty, but regardless, we went out and got the job done.” In the men’s match against Concord, the No. 9 Bobcats (7-3, 2-2 PBC) raced out to a 3-0 lead after the doubles portion, with junior Jerome Leborgne and sophomore Johan Wadstein defeating Diogo Monteiro and Leo Araujo, 8-5. Junior Leo Bernardes and sophomore Tyler Franks then topped Felix Riba and Andrew Iruthayarajah, 8-2. Juniors Tobias Rausch and Robert Angelucci followed suit, beating Pierre Quinat and Cody Vinson, 8-1. In the singles portion, No. 14 Leborgne won a tough battle against Monteiro, 6-2, 7-5 in No. 1 singles. Wadstein took out Araujo, 6-0,6-0. In the No. 3 spot, Rausch topped Quinat, 6-2, 6-3. Freshman Mario Cardenas beat Vinson, 6-0, 6-1, freshman Ruslan Bekoev won 6-0,6-0 against Riba, and sophomore Wictor Andersson won 6-2, 6-1 against Iruthayarajah. The No. 30 women were equally successful on their end against Concord. The Bobcats (6-3, 3-2 PBC) won all three doubles matches with sophomores May Johnson and Michelle Lingner winning in the first slot, 8-0 against Laura Leon and Kirby Mustard. Freshmen Lisa Setyon and Kelly Edwards took the No. 2 doubles match against Cristina Knable and Emily Fletcher, 8-1, and the third doubles match was forfeited by the Mountain Lions. In singles, senior Bertille Lion won out of the first slot, 6-0, 6-1 against Leon. Johnson shut out Mustard in the second singles, 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Kim Lochner beat Fletcher, 6-2, 6-0, and freshman Tracy Bain took down Knable, 6-2, 6-1. The Mountain Lions forfeited the other two singles slots.
MANOJ KUNINTI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Junior Tobias Rausch plays in his singles match against Concord on March 8. Rausch won, 6-2, 6-3.
Neither team was as fortunate in their March 8 losses at Francis Marion. The men’s team fell behind 3-0 after all three doubles parings lost. The Bobcats had more success in singles play with Leborgne, Rausch, Franks and Andersson all winning their matches, but Francis Marion was able to pull out two wins in the singles portion for a 5-4 victory. The women also fell victim to the Patriots, who took a 2-1 lead after the doubles matches. Johnson and Lingner won their doubles matchup, 8-2. The teams split the singles portion, with Barksdale winning, 6-0, 6-0 out of the third spot. Lochner won, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, and Lingner came out on top 6-3, 6-1. “We played well in spots, but not well overall,” Barsby said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to work on some things and keep getting better.”
Georgia College softball to host alumni game March 13 SUBMITTED BY HALEY LOWE Past meets present as the Georgia College softball team and new Head Coach Jamie Grodecki host alumni at their doubleheader against Carson-Newman College on March 13 at noon and 2 p.m. at the Peeler Complex. “It’s a great opportunity for us to get together again,” said Assistant Coach and Georgia College softball alumna Mandy Chandler. “Being in athletics, many of my teammates are from different states. It’s hard to get together.” Alumni will be recognized and presented with a gift of appreciation in between games. Donors and alumni will also receive a T-shirt in appreciation of their support for the team. All Georgia College students and members
of the Milledgeville Baldwin County community are invited and encouraged to support the team and their alumnae at the game as well. “We have a strong relationship with the community. We want to put a face on the Athletic program and show who they are supporting and what exactly how their support benefits us,” Chandler said. Coach Grodecki and her team will also host a post-game tailgate style reception for alumnae and their families at the West Campus Pavilion to celebrate the legacy of Georgia College’s most decorated programs. “This is their home; we want to keep the family close and allow alumni to keep in touch and support the tradition,” Grodecki said. “They laid the foundation, we are just continuing it.”
22
THE COLONNADE
MARCH 11, 2011
Softball picks up victory, several games postponed TAYLOR LAMB STAFF REPORTER Georgia College softball endured another test of strength after opening their planned weekend of games with two one run loses in Affney, SC at Limestone College on March 4. The Bobcats, 7-20 overall, fell to the Saints in eight innings in game one, 13-12. The biggest blow of the series was scoring a season-high 12 runs but on the defensive end, walking in the winning run in the eighth. “We hit very well and hit to the opposite field,” Head Coach Jamie Grodecki said. “I’ve said it a million times. We just can’t get all three parts of the game going at once.” The Saints jumped on the Bobcats bullpen and put up three quick runs. Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the third, junior utility infielder Corby Holmes earned a walk followed by
back-to back Georgia College outs. Batting .400 thus far in the season, junior catcher Anna Parker dug into the batter’s box. Two outs and down by a pair of runs, Parker saw her pitch and blasted a two-run, game-tying homer to right center. The Bobcats heart of the lineup continued to impress when PBC Player of the Week, junior Haley Burnett followed Parker’s blast with a shot of her own, sailing one over right field to put the ladies up by one. “Anna and I are a really good duo,” Burnett said. “We do our own thing. Even if we’re down we try and keep everyone up.” The score tied at four, freshman centerfielder Whitney Okvist roped a double down the left field line, earning two of her four RBI’s, a career high. Limestone answered in the fourth and
fifth, gaining back four runs. It came down to the seventh inning with the scored tied at 12-12. Junior pitcher Caitin Duvall laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing senior leftfielder Lauren Chandler Potts to third. Junior third baseman Maggie Davis kept the inning going, providing a double up the middle to score Potts. Holmes found first and Okvist stole second after a wild throw from the Saints pitcher. The Bobcats racked up four runs in their last at bat from four walks, a substantial lead heading into the last frame. Limestone, never quitting, rallied off five runs for a gut-wrenching win over the Bobcats, with the decid-
Safety an issue between baseball and softball fields CALEB RULE STAFF REPORTER There are many dangers in the stands at baseball and softball games. A batter takes a vicious cut at the pitch, fouls it off, and a fan is nailed by the ball. But most publicized instances are at Major League Baseball games, where 90-plus miles an hour pitches rocket off a slugger’s bat. But at Georgia College, no such occurrences have happened, and the Department of Athletics plans to keep it that way. “We recently had a foul ball almost hit a player’s mother from an opposing team,” Sports Information Director Al Weston said. “Fortunately it didn’t, but the fact the possibility existed makes upgrading
the safety of our fans a priority.” The likelihood of someone getting hit by a foul ball is slim, due to extended backstops that cause most foul balls to careen harmlessly back onto the field of play. But occasionally, the foul ball out of play can create a moment of tension for the fans. “In 30 years, we’ve never had an injury from a foul ball,” Athletic Director Wendall Staton said. “But the fact we could is enough for us to move ahead with plans to increase everyone’s safety.” Staton said he needs to talk to Tom Carty and Jamie Madewell-Grodecki, head coaches of the baseball and softball teams, along with Physical Plant personnel, to determine the best design for
2011 academic year
new safety netting. One possible design would hang a net from the top of the backstop and run it to the ground, creating an angle that would bounce balls away from fans to a safe area. Staton said they will not look at having nets along the fences on either side of the pedestrian walkway leading into the fields at this time. Renovations to multiple fields have left the department’s budget thin for futher upgrades, but Weston said there may be state or federal funding available because this is a safety issue. The time frame to finish the project is as soon as possible, according to Staton, but students may not see the upgrades by the end of the school year due to the complexity of logistics involved.
ing run coming from a Georgia College bases loaded walk. Game two was a different style of play, where both bullpens dominated. Junior Sabrina Chandler dominated on the mound, throwing a complete game, allowing only three runs in the second. Chandler’s attitude towards approaching the mound is to, “keep throwing strikes, have to have strikes.” Limestone put up their winning number of three runs by the second inning. The bats were slow for the Bobcats until the fourth and six innings, when they managed to tack on two runs. Shaking off the tough losses, the team traveled to Spartanburg, S.C. for the Mid-South Classic. Scheduled for four games in total, rain decided differently, as the team only played game one against Fairmont State, prevailing 8-5. Parker continued her
Championship
barrage of hits from last game going 2-4 with 3 RBI, while Okvist coming off her 3-4 performance went 2-4. Finally recovered from a double wrist surgery last summer, sophomore Kelsea Martin found her groove easily with a perfect day at the plate going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Chandler took her stellar pitching performance from her Limestone game to the non-conference tournament. Picking up the win, she threw another complete game while allowing seven hits. “I try not to walk anyone or hit a batter, just try to get ground balls,” Chandler said. “If I can keep it on the ground my defense will get my back.” The Bobcats doubleheader for March 9 against Lynn was rained out. They return to action March 11 at home versus Wingate beginning at 3 p.m.
run the rest of the way to get the victory. Jordan’s jumper Continued from page 19... tied the game with 3:05 left, and another layup from her with 2:30 left put them on early 15-4 lead in the opening top for good at 49-47. The Bobcats (22-6) were 10 minutes. The Pacers slowly made a comeback, cutting not phased after losing to the lead to 28-20 at the half, both Lander and USC Aiken and taking the lead at 47-45 earlier in the season. “Even the games we lost with 3:29 left to play in the against those teams, we game. But the Bobcats buckled looked back and said we down, exploding for a 17-2 were so close, and we could
Tournament
Continued from page 19... tage of the opportunity we have.” With PBC teams accounting for each of the top four seeds in the regionals as well as Francis Marion earning the No. 8 seed, the Bobcats have played a quality schedule that could be advantageous to them in the national tournament. “I was just talking to a fellow coach on the phone who is in another league,” Smith said. “He was looking at it across the board and saying how other conferences across the nation don’t compare to the level of competition.”
have done a few things better to pull out the ballgame,” Smith said. “So we used that as a motivational factor. We were there with those teams in the regular season. This time right now, we are playing our best basketball, and we have the confidence to beat them. The girls were confident going in. We had a lot of energy. They were focused and believed that they could do it.”
Against Barton, the Bobcats will have to rely on their staple, defense, to stop the highpowered Bulldogs. “They are a penetrating team, so we have to play our defense and keep helping each other out,” Huffin said. “We have to be strong and physical with our rebounding and play strong defense, and that will be the key.” Huffin, her fellow seniors and the rest of her teammates are looking to leave as big of a mark as they can. “We want to leave a legacy. In the beginning we had a goal to win the Peach Belt and we wanted it badly,” Huffin said. “We rallied behind each other, and we’re looking to make a run, win the regionals and get to the Elite Eight in Missouri. We’re going to keep pushing as hard as we can.”
1
Close up Sex education
March 11, 2011 • Editor, Lauren Davidson
Sex: Be safe, always use protection T
hese statistics are from a 2009 survey conducted by ACHA-NCHA. A total of 804 students participated in the survey. This pie graph shows the 3.2 percent of college students who reported either being diagnosed or treated by a health professional for the following health issues within the last 12 months.
Chlamydia- 0.8% Genital herpes: 0.3% Genital warts/HPV- 1.8% Gonorrhea- 0.1% Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- 0.1% HIV infection- 0.1%
Connor Johnson Staff Writer
if you’re going to have sex, make sure you know the outcome of what could happen if you don’t use protection.” Freshman marketing major Adrienne Warren Sex is something students encounter on an almost daily basis. From television shows like agrees that unprotected sex, especially with the MTV’s “Skins,” to popular rap songs like Rihan- mixture of alcohol, can lead to undesirable outna’s “S&M,” it seems that sex is a topic that no comes. “I know a lot of friends who have unprotected one can escape. Yet, if this culture seems to have so many outlets teaching young people the ins sex because they are taking birth control,” Warand outs of sex, why are students continuing to ren said. “But I don’t think they realize that alengage in sexual activities without using protec- cohol lessens the effects of birth control. Unless you want to have a baby, you should always wear tion? a condom no matter what.” “I hear about so many stuLoper also discussed a surdents saying they didn’t think they needed to wear protection “I don’t have sex, but vey being sent out to approximately 4,000 students and is because they were just ‘mess- I do know that you sponsored by the American ing around,’” said Alice Loper, College Health Association. director of Health Services. “I should never do it Loper encourages every studon’t think students understand without a condom. dent to fill the survey out they can still receive an STD Wrap it before you because these questionnaires through any sexual activity, not are the main source for data just full on sexual intercourse.” tap it” pertaining to sexual activties Although the number of reamongst students. As a reported STDs on Georgia ColRoxy Russell, ward, items such as an iPod lege’s campus is fairly low a digital camera, a GPS -around three percent of those Sophomore Mass nano, device, gift certificated and treated/diagnosed at the clinic— Communication Major T-shirts will be given to a sexually transmitted diseases number of students who fill are still no joke. the survey out. “We have to report many “The most important thing we want them to cases of STDs to the state level, from things like know is that the survey is anonymous. We have gonorrhea to HIV,” Loper said. Sophomore mass communication major Roxy no way of tracking their answers,” Loper said. Freshman criminal justice major Rachel DenRussell agrees that using protection is always ney advocates for the use of condoms, even the only way to go in the bedroom. “I don’t have sex, but I do know that you though it may be more pleasurable to have sex should never have sex without a condom,” Rus- without one. “I know it is tempting to have sex without ussell said. “Wrap it before you tap it.” SGA Treasurer-elect Sean Espinosa also com- ing a condom because it feels better without one, but their is still no excuse to having sex withmented on the topic. “I think people should wait until marriage to out one,” Denney said. “Why not use protection have sex, personally,” Espinosa said. “However, when you can get condoms for free?”
47.1%
49.4%
Above: The percentage of male (blue) and female (pink) that reported using contraceptives the last time they had vaginal intercourse, according to a 2009 survey. Below: The percentage of male and female who reported using protection (mostly or always) during sexual activities within the last 30 days, according to a 2009 survey. Excluded from the results were students saying non-applicable or that had not done any of these activities in the last 30 days.
Anal Intercourse Vaginal Intercourse Oral Sex
Total
Female
Male
Is sexting a big deal? Sex education on campus Aubrie Sofala Columnist Sexting: The act of sending dirty text messages and, on some occasions, photos of yourself to another person via the cell phone. This progression of sexual activity seems valid. We live in a world where everything can be shared instantly and why shouldn’t this include our sexual encounters? I know I should scare you with stories I’ve found where people’s lives have been ruined because of pressing the send button while a racy photo is attached. I could even share my cynical wisdom of how involving yourself in such an activity makes you unsophisticated. However, I believe in sexting in moderation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a closet sexter, who is avidly partaking in the activity 24/7, but I understand the need or desire to dirty text now and again. I also don’t condone sexting as random acts of boredom, however in certain situations sexting can serve as a benefit in relationships. Long distance relationships are particularly hard to keep the excitement alive. Sexting aids couples who might be going through a difficult time being apart. The book, “Flirtexting”, explains the act of flirting through text messages for couples in the digital age. “The need for sexting heightens when you’re not around one another. It’s an excellent way to remain close, especially if there’s a time difference,” according to the chapter in “Flirtexting” on long-distance relationships. As college students, we are of the age where we can make our own decisions. We should also be aware of the consequences of our actions. Yes, sexting can be dangerous if you aren’t aware of the possible outcomes of the situation.
“Flirtexting” By the Numbers also says that if you do decide to take it to the next - 46 percent of level with provocative photos, young adults surit’s a good idea to veyed have received not reveal every- nude or semi-nude thing. It’s impor- photos or videos. tant in the art of sexting to leave some things to - 58 percent of young adults surthe imagination. “ W h e n e v e r veyed have sent a you are taking a sexually suggestive racy photo text of message. yourself, proceed with caution,” says “Flirtex- - 72 percent of females surveyed ting.” “Even though send sexually sugyou are in love gestive messages to now, what hap- be “fun” or “flirtapens if something goes ter- tious.” ribly wrong and you have a nasty Source: The National Campaign to break up later?” For extra peace Prevent Teen and of mind there’s a Unplanned Pregfree iPhone app nancy called Safe Sexting. The app allows the user to place black bars across some areas of photos you send to others. It also has a black oval you can place over your face--to ensure anonymity. In any sexual capacity it’s important to have a level of trust with your partner. Even when sending a dirty text or photo--you should make sure you have an equal level of trust with each other to establish a comfortable and lasting relationship.
How the classes have changed through the years Sabrina Chandler Staff Writer
Over the last few decades, the American public’s views on sex education have changed a great deal. Sex education courses are now taught around the country, starting with students as young as fifth graders continuing all the way into college. Sexual education in Milledgeville dates back all the way to 1917. That year, Kathleen Wilkinson Wootten started a Health Department at the Georgia Normal and Industrial College, soon changed to Georgia State College for Women, now Georgia College. Eleven years later, Wootten published a journal titled “Special Sex Instruction Given to Students of a Southern Normal College.” In this journal, Wootten shared her viewpoints of sexual hygiene and the way that she taught her sexual education classes. The way these classes were handled back then is somewhat similar to how they are being taught now. There are also some major differences. Wootten described girls of that time as being “grossly ignorant of fundamental facts in sex education and that this ignorance is rarely complete innocence but rather a partial knowledge mixed with dangerous inaccuracies and innuendos.” Her lectures covered a variety of topics, including but not limited to personal health problems of women and girls, embryology, prenatal care, masturbation, heredity and genetics, environment, physiology and personal hygiene. In her journal she states, “girls and young women feel the need for and wish for more information on this subject; that the term sexual education might be avoided to advantage except when such topics as the training of parents to teach the truths of life to children are discussed; that training the mothers of tomorrow along the line of sex education will put sex education back in the home where it belongs.” These thoughts are somewhat different, with a few similarities, than thoughts on sexual education today. There are currently two sexual education classes here at Georgia College: Human Sexuality and Sex, Gender and Sexology. Junior exercise science major Shahlisa Shirley is currently in Human Sexuality, being taught by
“I believe that there should be comprehensive sex education available for everyone. But at the same time, I think parents should be more comfortable talking to their children about sex.” Scott Butler, Assistant Professor of kinesiology
Submitted by Special Collections Mrs. Kathleen Wilkinson Wootten started the Health Department at then Georgia Normal and Industrial College in 1917. She was the head of the department and was known nationally for her work in the field.
Scott Butler, assistant professor of kinesiology. “(The class) is awesome,” Shirley said. “It is so informative. I believe it is very important because every college student should be educated on sexuality. I think schools should be able to teach sexual education, as well as it being taught in the home.” Human sexuality studies the investigation and development of skills, knowledge, attitudes and methodology to address human sexuality topics in schools and communities. According to Butler, some of the topics covered in his Human Sexuality class include sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, gender roles, sexual dysfunctions, sex and society, basic sexual relationships and sexual communication. “I believe that there should be comprehensive sex education available for everyone,” Butler said. “But at the same time, I think that parents should be more comfortable talking to their children about sex.” Dr. John Lindsay, professor of psychology, is teaching a Human Sexuality course this summer. His class will be a mostly discussion-focused course, while covering chapters in the book as well. “I think it is important to learn because students have so many questions about sex,” Lindsay said. In the 1930s, it was a common belief that sexual education should be left to very few, and that mothers should be teaching their children. Today, the culture of Georgia College seems a little more open with the subject matter. Sexual education classes in schools are becoming more common and even though teachers are still pushing for mothers and fathers to enlighten their children on sexual education, schools are more willing to help in educating.